Former Tennessee baseball pitcher named two-time MLB All-Star

Fans fill up Lindsey Nelson Stadium during a NCAA baseball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sunday, March 16, 2025.
Fans fill up Lindsey Nelson Stadium during a NCAA baseball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sunday, March 16, 2025. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Former Tennessee baseball pitcher Garrett Crochet will be returning to the Midsummer Classic for the second time in his career after being named an MLB All-Star for this year's All-Star Game.

Crochet has been one of the best pitchers in the league this year, posting a 2.34 ERA and a league-leading 144 strikeouts over 115.1 innings pitched. He is responsible for 3.2 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) this season, while having a career WAR of 9.3 paired with a 2.96 ERA and 438 career strikeouts. 

He will be an All-Star for the second year in a row after making his first All-Star appearance last season with the Chicago White Sox. He didn't necessarily look as good in years past with the White Sox due to many of the franchise's struggles, but he has been dominant with the Red Sox throughout this season. 

Crochet was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 34th round of the 2017 MLB Draft but chose to attend Tennessee, which proved to be a great decision as he quickly rose the draft ranks and became the No. 11 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. 

The 2025 MLB All-Star Game won't be too far from Rocky Top this year, as the Atlanta Braves are hosting this year's festivities. 

All-Star Week begins on Friday, July 11 with the HBCU Classic with the 2025 MLB Draft taking place Sunday night, July 13 at 6:00 PM ET. The All-Star Game is currently scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.