Kamehamehey now you’re an All-Star!
The Royals announced today that they will actually have three representatives at the All-Star Game. In addition to Bobby Witt Jr. and Kris Bubic, Carlos Estévez has been selected as an alternate for Texas Ranger Jacob DeGrom, who is scheduled to pitch Saturday and therefore is considered unavailable to pitch in the All-Star Game.
Estévez has pitched quite well this season with a 2.03 ERA and is tied for the AL lead with 25 saves. He has blown three save opportunities, but two came in extra innings, and the Royals still came back and won one of those, plus the game where he blew the save in the ninth.
There are some concerns with some of his peripherals including a 4.38 SIERA and a near-career-worst 11.6% K-BB%, but when the chips are down the Dragon Ball fan has come through pretty consistently for Kansas City. Estévez is well known around the game for his celebration following a successful save which sees him mimic that anime’s protagonist, Goku, performing his signature energy attack: the Kamehameha.
It remains to be seen if starter Seth Lugo or third baseman Maikel Garcia can sneak on as replacements as well. Garcia, in particular, seems pretty deserving, but so far hasn’t been added even as he’s seen three other infielders take spots on the team.