A look into the All-Star season of Rays' third baseman Isaac Paredes

The 2024 MLB All-Star rosters were announced on Sunday for the American and National Leagues ahead of All-Star Week, which will begin formally on Friday, July 12 with the HBCU Classic. The Tampa Bay Rays received fortunate news as their third baseman, Isaac Paredes, was announced as a reserve on the American League All-Star team. It is Paredes' first All-Star appearance, as he joins 31 other players who will play in their first All-Star Game inside of Globe Life Field.

The Rays' batting has been through some turbulent stretches this season, as it is one of the reasons Tampa Bay is sitting on the edge looking into a Wild Card spot, but Paredes has been a cornerstone of any Rays successes this year. He leads the team in home runs with 14 so far this season, sporting a batting average of .266 and an on-base percentage of .358.

Paredes has been a player that goes for power, and he has certainly followed up what he did in 2023, when he had 31 home runs and also led the team the entire season. With a little under half of last season's total heading into the 2024 All-Star break, he can get really close to matching his most recent home run total.

What does All-Star Isaac Paredes bring to the Rays?

Looking at Paredes' game as a whole, he has been Tampa Bay's most efficient offensive weapon in 2024, as he tops out in nearly all hitting categories. He is second on the team in hits, top five in runs, and he has knocked in the most RBI out of any Rays player as well with 47. He has 38 total walks as well, sitting second behind Randy Arozarena, who has the most on the team.

Paredes is the clear answer as to who was going to represent the Rays in Texas at the All-Star Game. His power hitting and team-leading batting numbers show just how much impact he has had for Tampa Bay this season, and he has earned this All-Star appearance for the first time in his five-year MLB career.