Wil Myers to Represent Padres in San Diego All-Star Game

San Diego, CA — The San Diego Padres celebrated the selection Tuesday of first baseman Wil Myers to the National League roster for Major League Baseball's 2016 All-Star Game, to be played Tuesday, July 12 at Petco Park.

The first career All-Star selection for Myers makes him the sixth first baseman overall in Padres history — preceded by three-time selections Nate Colbert, Adrian Gonzalez and Steve Garvey; two-time selection, Fred McGriff; and one-time selection, Ryan Klesko — to represent San Diego in the All-Star game, according to a Padres statement.

"It's a huge honor," Myers said in a tweet posted by the Padres. "I'm very excited to be a part of it and to represent San Diego."

Myers' selection also makes him the eighth Padres player to represent the National League with the All-Star game taking place in San Diego, joining Rollie Fingers and Dave Winfield, who did so in 1978, and Tony Gwynn, Fred McGriff, Benito Santiago, Tony Fernandez and Gary Sheffield, who did so in 1992, the Padres said.

Through July 4 of this season, Myers has hit .282 (88-for-312) with 18 doubles, one triple, 19 home runs, 57 RBI, 56 runs scored and 13 stolen bases to go along with 35 walks, a .350 OBP and a .529 SLG for an .879 OPS.

The North Carolina native currently leads the team in hits, home runs, RBI, runs scored and walks.

Other local connections run deep on this year's All-Star game roster.

Former University of San Diego baseball star Kris Bryant, who plays for the Chicago Cubs, will start at third base in the National League infield. Bryant will be joined by first baseman Anthony Rizzo, a former Padre.

Stephen Strasburg, the Santee native who played his college ball at San Diego State, will represent the Washington Nationals. Strasburg has compiled a won-loss record of 11-0 as a starting pitcher.

The NL roster also includes Fernando Rodney, the reliever who was traded by the Padres last week to the Miami Marlins.

The American League pitching staff includes three pitchers with local connections — former Rancho Bernardo High School star Cole Hamels of the Texas Rangers and two ex-Padres Orioles reliever Brad Brach and Craig Kimbrel of the Red Sox.

The rosters were announced on ESPN, and guests appearing on the show wore brown-and-yellow uniforms reminiscent of the old Padres duds.

Numerous events surrounding the All-Star Game are scheduled in San Diego, including the All-Star FanFest at the San Diego Convention Center beginning Friday, the Futures Game featuring top minor league prospects at Petco Park on Sunday, a softball contest featuring former players and celebrities following the Futures Game, and the workout and home run derby at the ballpark on Monday.

— City News Service contributed to this report.

(Photo by Maggie Avants/Patch)