Wieters is an All-Star

Catcher Matt Wieters will be the Orioles' lone representative for the July 12 All-Star Game in Arizona. Wieters is batting .262 with 13 doubles, seven homers and 33 RBIs in 71 games, but his selection is based heavily on his work defensively. Wieters leads all major league catchers in runners caught stealing (23) and in fielding percentage (.998, one error) and is the only catcher with more than 40 starts who has not been charged with a passed ball. Wieters has caught the second-most innings in the American League with 602 1/3. He's 23-for-54 (.426) with six doubles, three homers and 28 RBIs when batting with runners in scoring position. With two outs and RISP, he's 10-for-28 (.357) with three doubles, a homer and 14 RBIs. Wieters began the year 7-for-7 with RISP.

Detroit's Alex Avila will start behind the plate for the American League after passing New York's Russell Martin in the final week of voting. Wieters is the first Orioles catcher to make the All-Star team since Mickey Tettleton in 1989. The Orioles have one representative for the sixth consecutive season. They sent four players to the 2005 All-Star Game - infielders Brian Roberts, Miguel Tejada and Melvin Mora, and closer B.J. Ryan. Center fielder Adam Jones and shortstop J.J. Hardy were strong candidates this year, and relievers Jim Johnson and Koji Uehara warranted serious consideration. I figured that Jones would get the selection for the second time in his career. He drove in the go-ahead run in the 2009 All-Star Game. Jones could be included in the pool of players for the final-vote selection that's done online by fans. Down on the farm, Chris Tillman is starting today for Triple-A Norfolk, so he's not a candidate to be recalled and make Tuesday's start in Texas. Mitch Atkins is a strong candidate. His next turn falls on Tuesday. Also, the Orioles have an opening on their 40-man roster.