Connecticut native George Springer has been named as a starter for MLB's All-Star Game Tuesday night in Miami.
A New Britain native, Springer is having a standout first half of the season with the Houston Astros. The outfielder is batting .310 at the All-Star break, with 27 home runs and 61 RBIs.
Springer played baseball his freshman year at New Britain High school before transferring to Avon Old Farms School.
He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins after high school, but he decided instead to play baseball at the University of Connecticut. He had a stellar college career and was named a first team All-American his senior year.
The Houston Astros chose Springer in the first round of the MLB draft in 2011.
Springer made his MLB debut in 2014, and this is his first All-Star appearance. He garnered enough votes by MLB fans to be named one of three starting outfielders for the American League, along with rookie sensation Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees, and Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts.