Another Diamond Dawg alum is being recognized as one of the Major League Baseball's best. Former Mississippi State baseball and current Baltimore Orioles star Jordan Westburg will be suiting up for the American League in the 2024 MLB All-Star Game.
Westburg was initially snubbed from selection, but on Tuesday, it was announced the Boston Red Sox third-baseman Rafael Devers will miss the All-Star Game with a sore shoulder. Jordan Westburg was elevated to the AL roster in his place. Westburg is the fourth Oriole on the AL roster alongside shortstop Gunner Henderson, catcher Adley Rutschman, and pitcher Corbin Burnes.
Westburg, who in the midst of his first full MLB season after being called up to the Big Leagues during the summer of last year, has been outstanding for the Orioles in 2024. On the year, he's batting .281 with 15 home runs and 50 RBI. He's excelled as an extra-base hitter with 20 doubles and five triples to go along with those home runs. Westburg is second amongst Baltimore starters with an OPS of .840.
Jordan Westburg becomes the 13th former Diamond Dawg to be selected to the MLB All-Star Game, and this make 29 total All-Star Game appearances for MSU alums. With Brent Rooker having reached the All-Star Game in 2023, State will have a player on an All-Star roster in consecutive seasons for the second time since 2009.
A New Braunfels, Texas native, Westburg was a starter for back-to-back College World Series teams at Mississippi State in 2018 and 2019. In a little over two seasons in Starkville, he batted .285 with 102 RBI and 10 home runs, including a grand slam against North Carolina in the 2018 CWS. His seven RBI in that victory tied a CWS record.
After the pandemic abruptly ended what was set to be the best season of his career at State in 2020, Jordan Westburg turned his attention to the majors. He was drafted in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft by the Orioles, becoming the Diamond Dawgs 17th ever first round pick (that total is now up to 19).
The 2024 MLB All-Star Game will be played Tuesday, July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas at 7:00 pm CT and will be broadcast on FOX.