Texas Rangers: Shin-Soo Choo is a Deserving All-Star

Texas Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo was given his first All-Star game nod of his 14-year career and there is no question it’s deserved.

Ask any Rangers fan who is the most All-Star worthy player on the team and the vast majority will tell you Shin-Soo Choo. The outfielder is riding more than a hot streak. He’s in the midst of a 47-game on-base streak that leads baseball and also is the longest in Texas Rangers history. That alone is almost enough to propel Choo to an All-Star nod. Across the streak, Choo is hitting a stunning .339 with an on-base percentage over .460 and a slugging percentage at .600. But when you consider his season stats, him not making it would’ve been a travesty. Thankfully though, we didn’t have to witness a snub. Choo was selected as a reserve for the 2018 MLB All-Star game.

Shin-Soo Choo is on pace for his best statistical season since 2010 when he played for the Indians. At 35 years old, Choo has found new life in his hitting and is likely to set a number of career highs this year. Through 86 games, Choo is hitting .293 and has blasted 17 homeruns, just 5 short of his career high which he has reached three times. He’s among the league leaders in both on-base percentage at .399, and walks with 56. He’s become one of the most disciplined hitters in the lineup and the consummate leadoff hitter.

On top of Choo being chosen for his first career All-Star game, he also represents the first All-Star appearance for a position player from South Korea.

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Disappointingly, Choo has stated that he likely won’t participate in the homerun derby as Evan Grant reported. However that decision is not fully made yet.

The 2018 MLB All-Star game is Tuesday, July 17th at 7:00 pm. The game will be televised on FOX. The Home-Run Derby is set for Monday, July 16th at will be televised on ESPN.