Mets ace Jacob deGrom has arguably been the best pitcher in baseball this season, and now he has an All-Star Game selection to show for it.
DeGrom will almost certainly be the Mets' only representative during the All-Star Game, which will take place on July 17 in Washington, D.C. It will be his second All-Star appearance.
"It's definitely an honor," deGrom said. "Just like last time, I was very excited to be able to represent the Mets in the All-Star Game."
DeGrom was also an All-Star in 2015, striking out the side on 10 pitches in his only inning of work.
"You're around the best of the best ... it's just a fun time," he said.
The 30-year-old deGrom, who has been the subject of trade rumors with the Mets about to sell before the July 31 trade deadline, has allowed three runs or fewer in 15 consecutive starts.
"I think I'm just willing to throw any pitch at any time," he said. "I feel really comfortable with all four pitches, so that's kind of been my game plan this year."
Overall, deGrom has an MLB-best 1.79 ERA (2.33 FIP) and 0.99 WHIP with 142 strikeouts in 115 1/3 innings (18 starts).
DeGrom is worthy of starting the All-Star Game, but that honor is expected to go to the Nationals' Max Scherzer, who will be pitching in his home ballpark and has been dominant in his own right this season (2.33 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and a league-leading 177 strikeouts).
"The highest honor of being a pitcher in the All-Star Game is to be able to start it," deGrom said, "so we'll see what happens."
The final start for deGrom before the All-Star Game will be on Wednesday, July 11.