Jason Castro is an All-Star

The rosters for the 2013 All-Star Game were revealed this afternoon on Fox and Astros catcher Jason Castro will be making the trip to New York for the midsummer classic.

It will be the first All-Star game for the 26-year old Castro. The Astros backstop is having a breakout season, worthy of being honored as an All-Star. Jason leads all American League catchers in extra-base hits with 34 — including a career-high eleven homers.

Joe Mauer was voted in by the fans as the starter behind the plate and Castro joins Kansas City’s Salvador Perez as his backup. Reserves are voted on by the players and are ultimately determined by the manager.

Barring an injury resulting in a last-minute replacement, Castro will be the Astros only representative this season. Fans also get to vote for the final representative in each league. Candidates for the final roster spot were also unveiled today.  Relief pitchers make up the choices for the last roster spot in the American League, but Astros hopeful Jose Veras is not on the ballot.

In what is already considered to be a controversial move, Dodgers rookie Yasiel Puig is on the ballot for the final roster spot in the National League. Puig has been amazing since being called up to the big leagues a little over a month ago but some MLB players have already expressed their opinions against him being on the team. The Cuban defector has only played in 30 games this season and some believe that is not enough to warrant All-Star consideration.

I’ll say it right now — Puig will win the final vote. Whether or not he is accepted by his All-Star teammates remains to be seen.

Jason Castro (Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports)
Congratulations to Jason Castro!