MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: The Yankees have wasted no time getting to business after the draft as Hunter Dietz, their top selection in the draft, quickly signed his deal. Dietz, a left-handed pitcher out of Arkansas, will make his way to the player development complex in Tampa, though it remains to be seen whether or not he will pitch in any games this season, according to Damon Oppenheimer, who also announced the completion of the deal.
Newsday | David Lennon: While even simply getting invited and participating in the Home Run Derby is an honor itself, Ben Rice would probably like a bit of a redo from his outing last night. Hitting just seven home runs in his first-round exit, Rice had a moment where it looked like he was heating up with four dingers in his first 10 swings, but the final 10 proved a bit of a challenge as he kept knocking line drives and only getting three more. Nonetheless, it’s a dream come true for the father and son duo, and maybe he’ll make his mark during the game tonight, with Rice also announced as being in the starting lineup and hitting seventh behind teammate Cody Bellinger in right field.
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MLB.com | Ed Eagle: If anyone had any doubts about Rice earning his first All-Star nod and starting spot, he put those critics and concerns to bed with the week he had leading up to the event. Hitting five homers, 12 RBIs and a 1.577 OPS in seven games earned Rice his second Player of the Week nod for the season and ensured he went into the Midsummer Classic on a high note. Nationals outfielder James Wood took home the honors on the National League side of things.
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: Rice and Cam Schlittler both look to be cornerstones for the Yankees for years to come and have solidified that thought process by earning their first All-Star nods this season. That both are Boston-area natives and became All-Stars for the Yankees for the first time together is the kind of story that usually gets written for movies, but it’s a reality for the Yankees whose process in selecting both of these young studs is outlined in this story.
While it would be nice to have seen all the Yankees participate in the game, Schlittler opted out of participating in the game to prioritize rest and recovery. Still, a deeper look into his story and how he became an ace on one of the more talented staffs is truly inspiring.
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