In eighth MLB season, Tanner Scott selected to first career All-Star Game

[Kevin Barral]

On Sunday, Major League Baseball announced that reliever Tanner Scott will represent the Miami Marlins in the 2024 All-Star Game.

MIAMI, FL—Following the conclusion of Sunday's series finale between the Miami Marlins and the Chicago White Sox, MLB announced the 2024 All-Star rosters. As expected, representing the Marlins will be Tanner Scott.

"It was awesome," said Scott about his reaction to getting the news. "Skip (Schumaker) called me and my wife, but all the guys were great. It was awesome to hear it and everyone come up to me. It was pretty special."

Scott, 29, was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in a trade days before 2022 Opening Day. He wasn't considered the main piece of this deal. The Marlins viewed right-hander Cole Sulser as a likely high-leverage relievers, with Scott being more of a throw-in.

While Sulser lasted only one season in Miami, Scott has exceeded all expectations. He entered Sunday's game with a 2.82 ERA, 2.97 FIP, 157 ERA+, 11.9 K/9, 4.7 BB/9 and 45 saves through 178 ⅔ innings pitched. During that span, he ranks fourth among MLB pitchers in appearances. He is tenth on the Marlins all-time saves list.

"The first year was a little rough," said Scott. "Now it's been a great process and it's awesome to see what it's turned into."

"Since I've been here, he's been an All-Star," said Marlins manager Skip Schumaker following Sunday's win. "Since I have been here, he's been an All-Star and that's what I've seen on and off the field. He's been a leader in that bullpen. In the past, you heard not reliable and didn't know if he was a high-leverage guy. Now, he's the most high-leverage guy on our team, and in my opinion, at the very least, a top-five reliever in the game. I'm really proud of him."

Entering this season, the pending free agent struggled in spring training, posting a 12.71 ERA through eight appearances. Marlins manager Skip Schumaker never expressed concern, even when some of those troubles carried over to regular season. Scott allowed more than a walk per inning during March/April and blew a save to the Atlanta Braves in devastating fashion on April 14, allowing a ninth-inning home run to Marcell Ozuna.

However, Scott has recovered since the Braves blow-up to post excellent first-half numbers: a 1.42 ERA, 3.46 FIP, 311 ERA+, 9.9 K/9, 5.4 BB/9 and 13 saves through 38 innings pitched. He holds the seventh-lowest ERA amongst all qualified relievers in 2024. Even if MLB did not require each team to have an All-Star representative, he would have a very strong case to be selected.

Scott credited the Marlins coaching staff and specifically Schumaker for giving him his first extended opportunity to close games. "It's really helped my confidence. Just going out there and attacking."

Just the day prior, Schumaker put Scott up with some of the greats that he's been able to play and work with during his baseball career such as Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Jason Motte.

"He's awesome ever since day one," said Scott about Schumaker. "He's been a great manager and its been awesome to play for him. Everyone wants to play for the guy."

Scott was prepared to fly back home for the All-Star break after the Marlins wrapped up their series against the Cincinnati Reds, but those plans have now changed. Scott's family—including his nine-month-old son, Bo—will be there and he's just excited for it all.

Scott becomes the first reliever since Fernando Rodney and AJ Ramos in 2016 to be named a Marlins All-Star representative. Overall, Scott is the fifth Marlins reliever to make the All-Star Game, joining Rodney, Ramos, Bryan Harvey (1993) and Armando Benitez (2004).

Luis Arraez and Jorge Soler repped the Marlins during the 2023 Midsummer Classic. Now playing for the San Diego Padres, Arraez was named a National League reserve. Soler (San Francisco Giants) was not selected this year.

Scott and the National League team will take on the American League team on Tuesday, July 16 at 8:00 pm ET at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

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