ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Aaron Judge doesn’t just want Yankees catcher Jose Trevino on the American League All-Star team with him.
“I hope he gets the nod to be the starting catcher,” Judge told reporters after Trevino played the hero in a 5-4 win over the Rays at Tropicana Field on Wednesday night.
Though Judge destroyed two home runs, Trevino developed tremendous defensive play to save the Yankees with loaded bases in the fourth inning, and then his two-run shot turned a 4-3 deficit into a one-run advantage in the eighth inning.
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It was Trevino’s sixth bang that year – a career high. He hits .283 with 21 RBI and .817 OPS while establishing himself as one of the better defensive catchers in the game.
“Without a doubt. What he’s doing this year is special,” said Judge. “I think he’s going to do that for a few more years. I think so far he’s earned the right to be in LA this year to support the Yankees and to represent the American League.
MLB released the results of the first phase of fan voting on Wednesday. Richter led the AL with 1.5 million votes.
At the catcher, Alejandro Kirk of the Blue Jays was first overall with 1,057,008 votes. Trevino was second with 387,983.
“I know there are a lot of great catchers in the league,” Judge said. “Especially when we faced Alejandro Kirk with the Blue Jays, another great player in this league. But I think (Trevino) definitely deserves it. He worked his ass off for this opportunity and is taking full advantage of it.”
Manager Aaron Boone said the same about Trevino, who the Yankees acquired from the Rangers at the end of spring training.
“He should be in the All-Star Game,” Boone said. “He plays so well. You could say he should be in the All-Star Game for his offense, and that doesn’t even start on the other side of the ball where he’s as good as it gets. He has been coming here since day 1 and has made so much difference in every way. I love having him in that room in there.”
Trevino, however, played it cool.
“If it happens, it happens,” said the catcher. “I want to win a championship. It’s quite individualized, an all-star game. That would be pretty cool. But I want to win a championship. That’s what I’m here for.”
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Brendan Kuty can be reached at [email protected].