Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jeff McNeil will start at second base in the 2022 MLB All-Star Game, MLB announced Saturday.
McNeil was originally one of four Mets named to the All-Star Game, along with Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz and Starling Marte. The Padres’ Jake Cronenworth was added to the team Saturday in place of Jazz Chisholm Jr., with McNeil being slotted into the starting spot.
McNeil is the first Met to start in an All-Star Game since David Wright in 2013. He’s had a bounceback season after an underwhelming 2021 campaign, hitting .310/.372/.433. McNeil, 30, owns a .301 career batting average, now in his fifth year in the majors.
He’s been a cornerstone piece in a strong Mets offense that has helped the team stay afloat in first place in the NL East. The former 12th-round pick has been a revelation for this New York squad.
The 2022 MLB All-Star Game will be played July 19 at Dodger Stadium. McNeil, a Santa Barbara native, gets to return to the west coast as an All-Star starter.
