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Detroit Tigers: Michael Fulmer named to All-Star team

By Ben Rosener

DETROIT, MI - JULY 1: Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, presents Michael Fulmer #32 of the Detroit Tigers with the Larry Doby Legacy Award for American League Rookie of the Year before game two of a doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park on July 1, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JULY 1: Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, presents Michael Fulmer #32 of the Detroit Tigers with the Larry Doby Legacy Award for American League Rookie of the Year before game two of a doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park on July 1, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Tigers fans will see one of the team’s top performers make the All-Star team this season. Major League Baseball announced his inclusion in the team on Twitter in a tweet Sunday.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer will represent the team in Miami come All-Star weekend.

The starter made it onto the American League All-Star team on the back of a strong first half of the 2017 season.

Major League Baseball’s official Twitter page announced the American League and National League teams in a series of tweets on Sunday night.

That included the tweet that announced that Fulmer would be part of the American League’s team.

The same tweet also announced that Dellin Betances of the Yankees, Boston’s Craig Kimbrel and Rangers starter Yu Darvish made the team.

Fulmer ranks third in the Majors in WAR among starting pitchers with a 3.1 number. Only Chris Sale and former Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer have higher WARs this season.

What’s more, Fulmer is finding success despite some relatively-low strikeout numbers. Detroit’s ace is sitting on just 6.90 punch outs per nine innings this year.

However, he’s done well in limiting damage and shutting down opposing lineups.

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The starter has logged 101.2 innings pitched on the season, surrendering just 0.35 home runs per nine innings. He’s also posted a 5.8 walk percentage to go with a 50.3 ground ball rate.

Only 11 pitchers, which include Clayton Kershaw, Chris Sale and Zack Greinke, have a lower walk percentage than the 24-year-old.

All told, Fulmer owns a 3.19 ERA, 2.94 FIP and a 3.96 xFIP.

This is the first All-Star Game honors for the right-hander, who is drawing up an impressive resume of accomplishments despite being in the year for less than two seasons.

The former first-round pick won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2016, while also finishing 10th in Cy Young voting.

Related Story: Tigers reportedly make three international amateur signings

Additional All-Stars?

While no other Detroit Tigers players made the American League All-Star team, it is entirely possible that some could be added at a later date.

Injuries and players pulling out of the event happen every year.

Should a spot open up, a handful of Tigers could be in contention for a place.

Alex Avila is certainly a candidate considering he leads all catchers with at least 190 plate appearances in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, wOBA, wRC+ and ISO.

Additionally, only one catcher, Buster Posey, has a higher WAR amongst catchers in all of Major League Baseball.

Justin Upton and J.D. Martinez are two other names to watch. Both outfielders are having excellent offensive seasons.

Upton in particular has a strong case considering he ranks in the top 20 among American League outfielders in ISO (fifth), wRC+ (eighth), wOBA (eighth), WAR (ninth) and on-base percentage (15th).

Next: Justin Upton is a better long-term fit than J.D. Martinez

The 2017 Major League Baseball All-Star Game will take place on  July 11, 2017 in Miami, Florida.

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