The former Seminole legend becomes Cleveland’s first southpaw starter honored since 2008, parlaying his dominant collegiate blueprint into a peer-voted selection for the Midsummer Classic in Philadelphia.
The word out of Cleveland is official and it’s a massive win for the Guardians.
Former Florida State pitcher Parker Messick has officially been named an MLB All-Star for the first time in his career, along with his two other teammates, Travis Bazzana and Cade Smith.
The rookie southpaw was selected via the player balloting system, proving that his dominant first half hasn't just caught the eyes of fans, but has earned the absolute respect of his peers across the majors.
Messick is the first left-handed Cleveland starter to be named an All-Star since Cliff Lee in 2008.
For his fans from FSU days, his success arc feels less like a surprise and more like an award everyone saw coming. As a redshirt sophomore for Florida State in 2022, Messick routinely destroyed ACC lineups, racking up eight games with double-digit strikeouts en route to a monster 144-strikeout campaign.
Messick was the definitive 2021 ACC Pitcher of the Year and Freshman of the Year. He isn't just a random rookie succeeding; he is executing the exact same blueprint that made him a legend at FSU.
He is also the cornerstone in the Cleveland rotation fighting to stay atop of AL Central.
With the Guardians, Messick has posted a 2.85 ERA and 106 strikeouts with 29 walks in 101 innings over 17 starts.
Parker Messick, GM Stephen Vogt on the All-Star selection
“These three guys are consistent and answer it just about every time,” manager Stephen Vogt said before the Guardians' 3-1 loss to the White Sox on Saturday night. “It's a testament to who they are as people, as workers. They keep themselves ready to be consistent, and that's what it takes.”
He followed up the selection with another steady outing on July 5 against the White Sox, grinding through 5.0 innings and allowing just 1 earned run while racking up 3 strikeouts.
“I was in high school, going over to my buddy's house watching the Home Run Derby and watching the All-Star Game,” Messick said. “I feel like that was yesterday. I felt like that was so far away. Now that it's here, just thank the Lord that I'm in this position. All glory and honor to him.”
The 2026 MLB All-Star Weekend kicks off Friday, July 10, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with the MLB All-Star Game scheduled for Tuesday, July 14. Each is headed to the Midsummer Classic for the first time, and Cleveland will have multiple representatives for the 10th consecutive All-Star Game.
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