Jorge Soler named to 2023 All-Star Game, giving Miami Marlins two representatives
At this time a year ago, Jorge Soler was on his first of two injured list stints in his first season with the Miami Marlins. It was the beginning of the end of what was ultimately a forgettable season, one in which he hit just .207 albeit with 13 home runs over 72 games.
Soler knew he needed to figure things out in the offseason, find a way to stay healthy and find a way to be the slugger the Marlins wanted when they signed him.
“I’ve been putting a lot of work in over the offseason,” Soler said, “following my exercises and trying to do my best.”
The results have shown this season, and he is being rewarded for it.
The league announced Sunday that Soler will be a reserve for the National League squad as a designated hitter. It is the first All-Star Game selection of Soler’s 10-year MLB career. He joins second baseman Luis Arraez as Marlins representatives for the All-Star Game, which will take place July 11 at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park.
Soler, 31, is tied for third in the National League with 22 home runs and also has 14 doubles, 47 RBI and 44 runs scored while splitting time between designated hitter (58 games) and right field (19 starts).
“Really excited for him and his family,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “He’s been huge for me as a rookie manager just inside that clubhouse and his presence. [He’s] holding people accountable,. His work ethic has been off the charts coming back from an injury-riddled season. For him to come back like he has, it’s well deserved.”
The Marlins told Soler the news in a team meeting before their series finale against the Braves, similar to how they told Arraez in Boston a few days earlier that he was going to be a starter in the All-Star Game.
“It’s amazing,” Arraez said. “He deserves it. I’m happy for him. ... We’ll go to Seattle together now. We’ve got to enjoy that.”
Marlins general manager Kim Ng said last month that Soler’s results this season are “even better” than what they had hoped from him.
“I would say the Soler that we saw last year was probably the guy that we envisioned, but then he got hurt,” Ng said. “The Soler that we’ve seen this year is definitely different and a big tribute to the hitting staff really helping on that end. He’s been tremendous.”
Soler made the All-Star roster after being voted in on the player’s ballot. Fan voting selects the starting position players for each team. Soler finished fourth among National League designated hitters in fan voting, with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ JD Martinez winning the starting spot.
Players vote for one backup at each position as well as eight pitchers (five starters and three relievers) for each team. The commissioner’s office selects the final six players (four pitchers and two position players) and must ensure that every team has at least one player represented.
Soler said being selected by his peers “feels great.”
“I’m pretty sure they can see the hard work that you’re putting into the game,” Soler said. “It’s just great to have that [support] from all of them.”
This is the second consecutive year the Marlins have had multiple All-Stars and 17th time overall in the franchise’s 31-year history. Miami had three representatives named to the All-Star Game last season in pitcher Sandy Alcantara, second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. and designated hitter Garrett Cooper.
