Mariners pitcher, former Stetson standout Logan Gilbert selected to MLB All-Star Game

For the seventh time since 2015, a Stetson University pitcher was selected to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game — a first nomination, in this case, for former first-round pick Logan Gilbert.

Gilbert, the 14th overall pick in 2018 following a dominant junior season for the Hatters, was selected Sunday as the American League West-leading Seattle Mariners' lone representative for all-star festivities. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound right-hander ranks seventh in the AL among qualified pitchers in ERA (2.91), second in innings pitched (117⅔), 12th in strikeouts (108) and second in WHIP (0.92).

"I think I was in shock a little bit," Gilbert told reporters Sunday. "We'll see the video. I feel like I don't even know if I showed any emotion. I know that's kind of strange for me. But I don't even know. It's just a dream come true. It's something I've always dreamt of as a kid, and I was really hoping it would happen eventually and felt like I had a decent chance this year."

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Gilbert, 27, joins exclusive company as just the third former Hatter to achieve All-Star status in the major leagues, along with former Cy Young Award winners Jacob deGrom and Corey Kluber. He played a key role in Stetson's run to the Super Regionals in 2018, becoming the first player in program history to earn back-to-back ASUN Pitcher of the Year awards.

Stetson inducted Gilbert into its Athletics Hall of Fame last October, along with teammate Brooks Wilson, volleyball player Kristin Lind and softball player Jessie TenBroeck.

"To be mentioned with those guys is pretty special," Gilbert said. "They're two of the best to ever do it."

Gilbert has recorded 14 quality starts in his 18 appearances this season, tied for second-most in the majors. He tossed eight shutout innings on three occasions in the first half: on May 4 in Houston, on June 16 against Texas and on June 22 in Miami.

Underlying metrics support Gilbert's breakout, as well. He has the lowest expected ERA (3.32) of his career, upping his fastball velocity compared to last season (96.1 mph average) while sitting in the 82nd percentile for swing-and-miss rate (29.8%) and in the 87th percentile for walk rate (5.3%).

Stetson coach Steve Trimper posted a congratulatory message for Gilbert onto X: "So happy for @logangilbert22!!! When I say he is a better person than a player it’s an understatement! And now he’s an all-star!!!!!"

Whether Gilbert pitches in the All-Star Game remains unclear. He is currently scheduled to start the Mariners' first-half finale on June 14 against the Los Angeles Angels, meaning he would likely be scratched to avoid throwing on one day's rest. However, if the rotation is rearranged — potentially due to the return of Bryan Woo from the 15-day injured list — then he could take the mound for the Midsummer Classic.