From North Little Rock to the Midsummer Classic: A trio of Travs alumni selected to 2025 MLB All-Star Game

ATLANTA – After being named a starter in the All-Star Game last week, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh learned on Sunday that his teammates Bryan Woo and Julio Rodriguez would be coming to the Midsummer Classic with him.

They will be competing on July 15 at Truist Park in Atlanta alongside other stars of the game like Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes and Clayton Kershaw

Cal Raleigh: The Power of “Big Dumper”

Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh hits a three-run home run that scored J.P. Crawford and Jorge Polanco during the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Seattle. Raleigh became the first catcher in MLB history to record 20 home runs before the month of June. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh hits a solo home run against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning of baseball game Monday, June 23, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Seattle Mariners designated hitter Cal Raleigh tosses his bat after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh reacts as he crosses home plate on his solo home run off Miami Marlins starting pitcher Max Meyer during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

The first half of the 2025 MLB season has been dominated by Cal Raleigh and his incredible offensive display. During his impressive power surge, he has become the first switch-hitter to hit 30 homers before the All-Star break, and he’s also broken Johnny Bench’s record for most home runs by a catcher before the All-Star break.

With his selection, Raleigh becomes the first Mariners catcher to start the All-Star Game and joins Tom Pagnozzi as the second catcher from the Travelers to play in MLB’s annual summit. In addition to starting the game on Tuesday, Raleigh will also be participating in the T-Mobile Home Run Derby on Monday July 14.

Bryan Woo: Ace on the Ascent

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo reacts after Pittsburgh Pirates' Nick Gonzales was called out at first base during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, July 4, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo works against a San Diego Padres batter during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 18, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo warms up during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Bryan Woo played for the Travelers in 2023 on a team with future MLB hurlers like Emerson Hancock, Bryce Miller and Stephen Kolek. He also continues a streak of former Travelers pitchers representing the Mariners in the Midsummer Classic that started with George Kirby in 2023 and continued with Logan Gilbert in 2024.

Among Woo's impressive numbers this season, he stands out as one of only two MLB pitchers with a sub-3.00 ERA, over 100 strikeouts, and fewer than 20 walks, alongside Skubal. Woo has also already eclipsed his strikeout total from last season with 104 in 14 less innings and five fewer starts.

Julio Rodriguez: Five-Tool Star

Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez swings through on a single against the Kansas City Royals during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 30, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez takes a lead off of second during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez makes a catch at the wall during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Saturday, July 5, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez throws to hold the runner on a fly out by Boston Red Sox' Jarren Duran during the eighth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 16, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

With his third All-Star nod in three years, Rodriguez becomes only the third Mariner to make three or more All-Star Games in his first four MLB seasons. He played with the Travelers in 2021 and one year later during his rookie season, he not only played in his first All-Star Game but also competed in the Home Run Derby.

Rodriguez is a defensive wizard in the Mariners’ outfield, and he has hit 11 home runs, driven in 43 runs and stolen 15 bases while slashing .247 for the season. His excellence across all facets of the game firmly establishes him as one of the league’s most dynamic and impactful young talents.

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