Former ValleyCat to Start in All-Star Game
While no Yankees or Mets earned a starting spot for the 2015 Major League All-Star Game, Capital Region baseball fans can be happy about the selection of former Tri-City ValleyCat Jose Altuve.
Altuve, the diminutive second baseman, will start for the American League after surpassing Omar Infante of the Royals. He'll also get the nod over Jason Kipnis of the Indians, Ian Kinsler of the Tigers, and Devon Travis of the Blue Jays.
After winning the American League batting title and leading the league in stolen bases in 2014, Altuve hasn't stopped performing for the surprising Houston Astros.
He's hitting .301 with 24 stolen bases this season thus far. The Astros have a 3.0 game lead on the Angels in the AL West.
Altuve spent part of the 2009 season with the ValleyCats, hitting .250 in 21 games.
The rest of the AL starting lineup is as follows:
C: Salvador Perez, Royals
1B: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers (injured, likely to be replaced by Royals Eric Hosmer)
2B: Jose Altuve, Astros
SS: Alcides Escobar, Royals
3B: Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays
OF: Mike Trout, Angels
OF: Alex Gordon, Royals
OF: Lorenzo Cain, Royals
DH: Nelson Cruz, Mariners