Seven local MLB All-Stars set examples for future standouts

Seven players who were either born in Miami or played high school/college ball in South Florida made the roster for Tuesday’s All-Star Game.

Tuesday also marked the end of the 2022 MLB Draft, and it remains to be seen if any All-Stars will emerge out of this week’s list of Dade/Broward selections.

This year’s All-Stars from South Florida include players who were first-round picks such as Manny Machado, Carlos Rodon and Alek Manoah.

But the list also includes longer shots in the draft such as pitcher Miles Mikolas (seventh-rounder out of Nova Southeastern University); Blue Jays second baseman Santiago Espinal (10^th rounder out of Miami Dade College); Red Sox outfielder J.D. Martinez (20^th round, Flanagan High/NSU); and Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. (36^th round, Hialeah High).

In the past 11 drafts, including the selection process that was completed on Tuesday, there have been 15 first-rounders selected with Miami-Dade or Broward ties.

However, who are the players selected later in this year’s draft who could potentially defy the long odds to not only become major-leaguers but also All-Stars?

Our crystal ball is missing at the moment, but here are, at the very least, four intriguing story lines regarding 2022 draftees with Miami-Dade/Broward ties:

▪ Nobody is more intriguing than Champagnat switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje, who was drafted in the 18^th round by the Brewers.

However, Cijntje, who touches 96 mph with his right hand and 92 with his left, may opt to pitch for Mississippi State.

▪ North Broward Prep right-hander Yoel Tejada is another versatile talent. He’s a 6-7, 210-pounder who is also a switch-hitter with raw power capable of playing the corner infield and outfield positions. However, he is still waiting on an offer from the Pirates, who drafted him in the 19^th round on Tuesday.

Tejada, who has touched 97 mph with his fastball, told The Herald he should know in about one week if he will sign with the Pirates or play for the Florida Gators.

▪ Shortstop Jose Izarra, a former Miami Hurricanes backup, was drafted in the 14^th round on Tuesday by the Dodgers. The Venezuela native played at Florida Southwestern State College this past season.

There are some doubts about his offense, but MLB.com writes that he is a “sure-fire shortstop with good hands and a strong arm.”

▪ Miami Christian right-hander Henry Martinez, who was drafted in the 16^th round by the Padres, already touches 96 mph and has added potential as he fills out his 6-4, 185-pound frame.

Martinez, who is set to sign with the Padres on Friday, was a shortstop until he moved from Colorado to Miami two years ago.

“I saw him throw – he had a live arm – and we made the conversion to pitcher right away,” Miami Christian coach Chris Cuadra said. “He was throwing 90-91 (mph) without any (proper pitching) mechanics.”

THIS AND THAT

▪ Jake Clemente, a 6-3, 210-pound right-hander at Stoneman Douglas, went undrafted. He was ranked No. 120 among all draft-eligible players, which should have made him a top-four-rounds selection.

But Clemente – whose fastball reaches 97 mph and sits 92-95 – likely didn’t get the signing bonuses he was looking for and will start his next-level career pitching for the Florida Gators.

▪ Jason Torres, a 6-2, 215-pound third baseman at Miami Springs, was ranked No. 386 and also went undrafted.

“It was a little disappointing,” Torres said. “Everyone wants to go straight to the (pros).”

Torres, who hit .470 with 20 doubles, two triples, 24 homers, 99 RBIs, a .571 on-base percentage and a 1.480 OPS in 76 prep games, will instead start his next-level career with the Hurricanes.

Defensively, though, Torres realizes that -- barring injury -- he won’t play third base as a freshman because that’s the home of Miami star Yohandy Morales.

“He’s the face of the team,” Torres said good-naturedly. “I plan on taking his spot in one year. In the meantime, I’ve played first base for four years, and I’ve been playing outfield for about a month.

“I made a diving catch in the outfield last week (in a summer-league game). That’s the happiest I’ve been in a long time.”