Whether a rookie or a veteran, All-Star Selections mean a lot to a players. If it is your first or your tenth, every selection means that you did everything you were supposed to up to that point in the year, and now will rewarded by getting to play on a national stage with the best players in the game.
Julio Teheran, Freddie Freeman, Craig Kimbrel were all selected to the 2014 MLB All-Star Game to represent the Atlanta Braves. It is Teheran's first, Freeman's second, and Kimbrel's fourth selection overall. Teheran has had an outstanding year anchoring the rotation, while Freeman has been killing it on the offensive side, hitting the ball to all fields throughout the year. Kimbrel of course, has been firing away as usual racking up save after save on what should be another great season.
Teheran has pitched in 18 games this year compiling a record of 8-5 with an outstanding 2.29 ERA. For most of the year Teheran was first or second in ERA for every NL starter. The Braves always have a chance to dominate their opponent when Teheran is on the mound. His 1st career all-star selection was well deserved.
Freeman on the other hand has done big things on the offensive end and has also made some nice defensive plays at first base. Freeman is hitting .294/.385/.501 on the year, and has been the only offensive player the Braves have been able to consistently rely on. Now, the NL All-Stars can rely on him to possibly come up big in the late innings.
There really isn't a good starting point to talk about Kimbrel since he's been so dominant. He has continued to dominate the ninth inning, as his 27 saves tie him for the NL lead. Kimbrel also has an impressive 2.04 ERA with 60 strikeouts and only 15 walks in 35.1 innings pitched. Kimbrel’s selection was as obvious as any player on the roster.
All three Braves headed to the 2014 MLB All-Star Game could be in that same position next year. This is a young and talented group of players who will likely make an impact for a long time.