Zack McKinstry named All-Star Injury Replacement

Detroit’s part-time utility man, part time starting third baseman, replaces Jeremy Pena.

It was a little overdue, but Zack McKinstry has officially been named an American League All-Star. He will be replacing Jeremy Pena, the Astros ’ shortstop, who’s currently on the injured list with a broken rib.

The news broke during Wednesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays .

Suffice it to say, McKinstry is more than deserving of All-Star recognition. We covered this more fully here, but it’s worth expanding on what he’s done to date. His offensive stats are well above the line to entry — his .817 OPS and 129 wRC+ entering Wednesday’s game are both 20th in the American League. Pair this with average or better defense at five positions and 13 stolen bases, and this always felt like a pretty inevitable decision.

Unfortunately, McKinstry initially fell victim to some All-Star roster shenanigans. Two notable injured players, Alex Bregman and Pena, were both selected as reserves after coming up short in the fan voting. Neither was ever likely to play given their injuries, but by naming them as the initial reserves, MLB can spread the love around.

If they had named McKinstry first, there wouldn’t have really been room for Bregman or Pena behind him. Doing things in this order helps everyone.

There’s currently no word on other Tigers being named as All-Star injury replacements. Dillon Dingler is probably the next most likely, just because catchers need days off. He has had a fantastic rookie season at catcher and is deserving in his own right, but if Cal Raleigh decides to just do the Home Run Derby , Dingler could stand to benefit.

Spencer Torkelson has slugged his way back to relevance, but a crowded first base picture probably keeps him on the outside. Will Vest merits consideration, but it’s hard to put him in over someone like Joan Duran.

All told, McKinstry makes the fifth Tiger in the All-Star game, their most since 2013. That year, Miggy, Verlander, Scherzer, Peralta, Fielder, and Hunter all made the All-Star team for a 93-win Tigers team that went all the way to the AL Championship Series. We all know how that ended, but it’s still great company to be keeping right now.

McKinstry celebrated with 2 doubles against the Rays. That’s our All-Star!