Just hours after the Marlins dropped the final game of the three-game set to the Atlanta Braves, the 2023 MLB All-Star reserves were announced, including Jorge Soler. Slashing .241/.339/.514/.853 with 22 home runs and 47 RBIs, Soler earns his first career All-Star selection and will join teammate Luis Arráez in Seattle for the event.

For the first time in his career, Jorge Soler is an MLB All-Star!!! 🤩

Very well deserved for the Marlins power hitter

RT if you want to see him in the derby too pic.twitter.com/Er6kyKoTIb

— Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) July 2, 2023

During his second season in Miami, Soler has improved in every statistical category. Most notably, he has stayed healthy, playing in 81 of the first 85 Marlins games. The 31-year-old has also cut down his strikeout percentage substantially while walking at a career-best rate (11.8 BB%). Despite playing home games at a pitcher-friendly park, Soler is on pace to hit 42 home runs this season after going deep only 13 times in 2022.

Después del juego donde Jorge Soler impulso una carrera, hablé con el no solo sobre el juego de hoy, pero un poco sobre la temporada que el a tenido hasta ahora. #Marlins pic.twitter.com/G9S4WN3Nqy

— Kevin Barral (@kevin_barral) June 3, 2023

Soler has also been one of the most clutch hitters in baseball this season, which was probably a big reason why he was voted in by his fellow MLB players. Entering Sunday, Soler is slashing .316/.409/.772/1.181 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs in what Baseball-Reference considers high-leverage situations. If it wasn’t for Soler, the Marlins wouldn’t be where they are at this current point in the season.

JORGE SOLER! First career walk-off homer for the Cuban. Miami wins, 5-4. The fish are now 13-1 in one-run games.

Exit Velo: 110.7 MPH

Launch Angle: 23 DEG

Distance: 405 FT

Home Run in 29 ballparks (Not in Camden Yards)#Marlins pic.twitter.com/Blti3kVVVM

— Kevin Barral (@kevin_barral) May 17, 2023

Historically, the Marlins have struggled to get quality production from their free agent acquisitions. Craig Mish of SportsGrid points out that Soler is the only Marlins FA pick-up in my lifetime to become an All-Star for the team:

This seems really hard to believe but Jorge Soler is the first Marlins All-Star that was acquired via free agency since 2004. Armando Benitez is the answer to the trivia question.

— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) July 2, 2023

With the full rosters announced, Soler is joined by eight other Cuban All-Stars, breaking a record which was set in 1968. This is a proud day for the country to be so heavily represented.

The big question remaining is whether Soler will put his name down to participate in the Home Run Derby. The confirmed participants are Pete Alonso, Randy Arozarena, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Julio Rodriguez and Mookie Betts, so the competition is going to be fierce.

Photo by Danis Sosa/Fish On First