7 things to know about Cincinnati Reds All-Star Adam Duvall

Adam Duvall used to tutor his former University of Louisville baseball teammates. In the offseason, after he had graduated, he would help students with their homework in the locker room. He was a business finance major.

That doesn’t mean he offers his current Cincinnati Reds teammates advice.

“Nah, they don’t listen to me,” he said in June. “There are people around me who ask, friends and family, but I don’t feel comfortable giving that type of advice. You don’t give money advice to people you want to be friends with for a while. If something goes wrong that you can’t control, then there’s a little tension.”

Duvall has hit well enough in the first half of the season, he could give hitting advice in the locker room. He's an All-Star now, so players would listen. Duvall was named to the National League All-Star team as a reserve on Tuesday. Here are seven things to know about his selection.

1. Easy choice: Every team gets at least one All-Star, but Duvall is not a charity selection. The only question was whether he or Jay Bruce would represent the Reds.

“It’s very well deserved,” Reds manager Bryan Price said, “and it’s really a nice honor for a manager to be able to give that type of news to a young guy like Adam in his first full season in the big leagues. He’s had a huge first half with 22 home runs and 59 RBIs. He’s played a superior left field. He’s a guy who’s made the position his own and carved out a niche on the ballclub.”

2. Streak ends: The Reds had at least two All-Stars and 21 total the last six seasons. That followed a run of five seasons in which they had one All-Star.

Duvall is the only Reds All-Star. The game will be played at 8 p.m. July 12 at Petco Park in San Diego.

3. Former Reds: Both of the Reds' All-Stars in 2015 (Todd Frazier and Aroldis Chapman) were traded in the offseason. Of the five Reds All-Stars in 2014, only Devin Mesoraco and Alfredo Simon remain with the franchise. Former Reds ace Johnny Cueto made the National League team in his first season with the San Francisco Giants.

4. Newcomers: Duvall is one of 26 first-time All-Stars. There are 13 in the American League and 13 in the National League.

5. Rare position: Duvall is the first Reds left fielder to make the All-Star team since Adam Dunn in 2002. That was Dunn's first and only All-Star appearance with the Reds.

6. Slow start: Duvall ranks second in the National League in home runs despite hitting two in 19 games in April. He had 11 in May and nine in June. He has not homered in July.

7. Team struggles: The Reds (31-54) are on pace to lose 100 games for the first time since 1982 when they finished 61-101. Their All-Stars that year were shortstop Dave Concepcion and pitchers Tom Hume and Mario Soto.

About the Author