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White Sox: Jose Abreu named starter to 2018 All-Star Team

By Kristen Bentley

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 09: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox is charged with an error after a missed throw to first base in the bottom of the fifth inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on June 9, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 09: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox is charged with an error after a missed throw to first base in the bottom of the fifth inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on June 9, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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Congratulations to White Sox 1st baseman, Jose Abreu, on being named to the 2018 All-Star Team.

This marks the second time that the White Sox Abreu gets the nod to represent the team on the American League team.

Remembering 2014

The first time Abreu was on the All-Star Team was in his rookie season, but he was not a starter (that honor was given to Miguel Cabrera that year). In 2014, Abreu was also named the Rookie of the Year for his outstanding work. That season he batted an eye-popping .317/.383/.581. His slugging percentage led the AL in 2014. He also won a Silver Slugger Award and he finished fourth in the MVP vote.

CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 29: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox walks back to the dugout to get another bat after breaking one on a foul ball against starting pitcher Mike Clevinger of the Cleveland Indians during the sixth inning at Progressive Field on May 29, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the White Sox 7-3. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 29: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox walks back to the dugout to get another bat after breaking one on a foul ball against starting pitcher Mike Clevinger of the Cleveland Indians during the sixth inning at Progressive Field on May 29, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the White Sox 7-3. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /

The Sox looked a lot different the last time Abreu was on the All-Star Team. Robin Ventura was the manager. Abreu shared the infield with Gordon Beckham, Alexei Ramirez, and Conor Gillaspie. Adam Dunn was on the team and Paul Konerko was a utility player. Chris Sale and Jose Quintana were starting pitchers. Both Ramirez and Sale were on the All-Star Team in 2014, too.

Men named Jose

According to MLB.com, this season, Abreu will be the starter at 1st base. In a strange twist of fate, all of the bases will be covered by men named Jose. Second base belongs to Jose Abreu and third Jose Ramirez. Manny Machado will start at shortstop. In an even more unlikely name game, two men named Wilson will represent their teams as catchers: Wilson Ramos from the Rays for the AL and Willson Contreras from the Cubs for the NL.

More from White Sox News

Abreu is the only White Sox representative on the 2018 All-Star Team. In the AL Central, only the Indians have more than one player on the team: Francisco Lindor, Michael Brantley, Trevor Bauer, and Corey Kluber. The other AL Central players include Jose Berrios (Twins), Joe Jimenez (Tigers), and Salvador Perez (Royals). Mitch Moreland of the Red Sox is the reserve 1st baseman.

Abreu’s stats

Abreu is batting .259/.316/.450. He has 12 home runs and 50 RBIs. There are several 1st basemen with outstanding batting stats, like Yuli Gurriel and Yonder Alonso. But, Abreu leads the AL in hits and RBIs. He also has the most at-bats, even though Matt Olson of the A’s has played in one more game.

Next: Goals for Moncada and Anderson

It’s nice to see that Jose Abreu is getting the respect he deserves. Congratulations to all of the players who were selected for their leadership and outstanding ability on the diamond. The All-Star Game will be on FOX at 6:30 CT. It will be played at Nationals Park in Washington D.C.

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