López's sudden dominance earns him AL All-Star nod

BALTIMORE -- From being a struggling swingman on one of baseball’s worst pitching staffs, Jorge López has not only presented the Orioles with a trusted closer amid a breakout year, he has presented them with an elite one.

And as it was unveiled on Sunday evening, he has presented them with an All-Star.

• MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard: July 19 on FOX

López was named to the American League All-Star team, as announced on ESPN after the Orioles’ 9-5 win over the Angels at Camden Yards, putting an official recognition on a campaign that has sent reverberations around Baltimore’s clubhouse. López will join an elite group of pitchers for the game on July 19 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, bringing with him a stellar season, a heartfelt story and his son, 9-year-old inspiration Mikael.

“To add this to my career, my family, it’s huge,” López said hours after being ascribed an All-Star in front of his clubhouse and embraced by his 25 other teammates and his coaches. “I've been thinking a lot about it. Just not me. It's my son who deserves this. He's the one who's been motivating me. He's the one who when I get here every day to do my job, I'm living my dream.”

A 2020 waiver claim from the Royals, López pitched to a 6.07 ERA and 74 ERA+ across 33 games (25 starts) in 2021. Across 38 appearances in ’22, he has pitched to a 1.74 ERA and 230 ERA+. Among closers with at least 10 saves, he has pitched more innings than any of them with 41 1/3.

“He has been the reason why we've won so many games,” said Orioles manager Brandon Hyde. “One of the huge reasons.”

López was the lone Orioles selection. Notably missing from the AL squad are outfielder Austin Hays and designated hitter Trey Mancini. Both were among the top vote-getters early, but Hays’ injury-nicked slump saw him fall out of contention, and Mancini faced stiff competition at his position with both the Astros’ Yordan Alvarez and the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani resembling MVP candidates, let alone All-Stars.

The Orioles are also not expected to have any participants in the Home Run Derby after Mancini’s heartfelt showing last year in Denver. Ryan Mountcastle had said he would entertain the idea if he were tabbed an All-Star.

In all their stead will travel López, one of the most respected individuals inside the Orioles’ clubhouse for his infectious attitude and his winding background -- and the best and most veteran arm coming out of their top-rated bullpen.

A promising pitcher and top prospect ever since being taken in the second round of the 2011 Draft by the Brewers, López struggled to find sustained success in the Majors. He was included in the 2018 Mike Moustakas deadline trade, going from Milwaukee to Kansas City. That Sept. 8, he took a perfect game into the eighth inning only to lose it. In the two starts following that, he allowed 10 runs across 5 1/3 innings.

López entered the 2022 campaign with a career 6.04 ERA. A conversation in Spring Training got him on board with being a reliever. An elite sinker that jumped almost 3 mph to 98 got him to one of the most unhittable arms in the game.

“That's something I think in this level, you don't see a lot when a guy who would struggle a lot [gets] the opportunity,” López said. “It's huge. I don't waste it.”

López has an infectious attitude -- one wholly positive and wholly competitive, suiting him well in this new closer role. He has pitched for far more than himself, though. His son, Mikael, is healthy enough to see him pitch in person for the first time in years after battling a litany of chronic conditions. Mikael will be in Los Angeles.

“He’s had to deal with a lot. Not only baseball-wise, but personally and his family situation and his son,” a teary Hyde said before excusing himself from the interview room to collect his emotions.

“It means a lot,” López said. “It's an honor, for sure, to be part of this organization. And not only this organization, but mostly Puerto Rico and my family, where they've given me a lot.”

López’s struggles have made him into the sensation he has become. His story has elicited glowing reflections from the O’s clubhouse, making one of several players to find success after years of toiling.

Why not López, why not them?

"Some struggle, I know, is going to happen,” López said after he saved Wednesday’s win over the Rangers, “but it's a better feel when you come back."