Two former Coastal Plain League players, Chris Taylor (Los Angeles Dodgers) and Joey Wendle (Tampa Bay Rays), were named to the 2021 MLB All-Star Game, both being selected for the first time in their careers. The MLB All-Star Game will take place at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado on July 13.
A Virginia Cavalier, Taylor played for the CPL’s Morehead City Marlins in 2010, finishing the season with a .250 average and nine stolen bases across 25 games played. He went on to be drafted in the fifth round of the 2012 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners. He made his major league debut with Seattle in 2014 before being traded to the Dodgers in the middle of the 2016 season.
“We are so excited for Chris, as he has done a great job of making himself a premier player in major league baseball,” said Marlins owner Buddy Bengel. “We are excited that he is finally getting recognized for becoming the player that we knew him to be in Morehead City. We’re so proud to have a former Marlin become an MLB All-Star.”
Taylor earned the fifth most votes of any National League All-Star outfielder, narrowly missing out on a starting spot. At the break he holds a .272 average, 15 doubles, three triples and 10 home runs across 84 games played.
Wendle will represent the American League All-Stars as a reserve infielder. Leading the Rays with a 2.5 WAR, he is batting .275/.337/.453 with seven home runs and 33 RBIs over 75 games.
The West Chester University star spent the 2011 summer in the CPL, playing for the Edenton Steamers. He was named a CPL All-Star, finishing the season with a .377 average, 12 doubles, four triples and four home runs. He still holds the CPL record for hits in a season with 81.