Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star Game Recap

The Pittsburgh Pirates had two starters in Tuesday night’s MLB All-Star Game and both players were able to flash some good things in the Mid-Summer Classic

Tuesday night Coors Field in Denver played host to the 2021 MLB All-Star Game. Following there not being an All-Star Game in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MLB players and fans alike spent the week excited for the game. This certainly included fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Despite entering the All-Star Break sitting in last place in the National League Central, the Pittsburgh Pirates did have two starters in the 2021 MLB All-Star Game. Both of these starting nods were most certainly earned.

Adam Frazier was voted into the game as the National League’s starting second baseman via the fan vote. While Bryan Reynolds was selected as a reserve for the game, originally, he was not a starting outfielder. Reynolds not being a starting outfielder appeared to be a snub, but, in the end, he did end up starting in the game.

Unfortunately for baseball, the starting nod for Reynolds came due to Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. tearing his ACL, which will cause him to miss the rest of the 2021 season. The nod, however, was still one that Reynolds deserved.

While Reynolds went 0-for-2 at the plate, he came close to getting the National League on the board early. In the bottom of the 2nd inning with the National League trailing 1-0, Reynolds gave a ball a ride to right-center field. Off the bat it appeared Reynolds may have had a solo home run but Yankee star Aaron Judge was able to hunt the ball down in the gap.

As for Frazier, he was one of the early stars in the game for the National League. Leading off the game Frazier showed why he’s a former two-time NL Gold Glove Award finalist at second base. Moving to his right, Frazier made a tremendous play to retire Shohei Ohtani to start the game. Vlad Guerrero Jr. then grounded out to Frazier for the second out of the inning.

At the plate Frazier did what he does and collected a hit. In his first at-bat Frazier ripped a single to right field. Then in his second trip to the plate he grounded out, finishing his night 1-for-2 at the plate with a defensive gem.

While Frazier and Reynolds were just a combined 1-for-4 in the All-Star Game both players were able to flash good things on behalf of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Having both Reynolds and Frazier named starters in the All-Star Game helped create a fun night for Pirate fans.