Wesleyan Alum Wil Myers Makes MLB All-Star Team
If you watch any sports network, locally or nationally, without a doubt you recognize the name of Wil Myers. Wil, a 2009 alumnus of WCA, plays for the San Diego Padres, and on Tuesday, July 5, was chosen to play for the National League All-Star team.
This prestigious honor only adds to the growing list of achievements in Wil’s young career such as being named the 2013 Major League Baseball’s (MLB) No. 4 overall prospect and Minor League Player of the Year. In his first trip to Yankee Stadium while playing for the Tampa Bay Rays, he hit a grand slam – he is the first player whose first career home run was a grand slam at Yankee Stadium since 1980. Additionally, in 2013, he was named the American League’s Rookie of the Year.
Wesleyan’s varsity baseball coach, Scott Davis stays close to Wil and continues to encourage him along his professional journey. Coach Davis was recently in San Diego watching him play. In an interview with the Greensboro News and Record, he commented, “The thing about Wil that makes him so special is he’s just like a kid in a candy store. He doesn’t act much different than he did when he was with us (Wesleyan). You couldn’t tell the difference in him hitting against the Yankees or Charlotte Country Day. He’s maintained a level head and a humble heart. He doesn’t take himself too seriously. We’re proud of him.”
Wil has also been asked to serve as the ambassador for the 2016 MLB All-Star Week events scheduled for July 8-12 in San Diego. In an interview with MLB.com, he said, “It’s exciting and an honor to be chosen for this. I’ll be at a lot of the events and get to interact with the fans…It’s a cool opportunity for me, and I’m very honored to be chosen.” Wil joins the ranks of other ambassadors such as Todd Frazier, Torii Hunter, Derek Jeter, Albert Pujols, Joe Mauer and Justin Upton.
Being chosen as an all-star player and ambassador is a dream come true for Wil; however, another dream, soon to come true, is to be named one of eight participants in this year’s Home Run Derby. This annual home run hitting contest is historically the day before the All-Star game (tonight). In numerous interviews Wil reported that he has selected his younger brother, Beau, also a WCA alum (’15) and baseball player for Appalachian State University, to throw to him. “I think it’ll be a cool story, win or lose,” he said in an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune. If I lose, I’ll go down with my brother, and I’m OK with that.”
With all of these accomplishments and honors, Wil Myers realizes where his help comes from. This year, he is serving as the chaplain for his team, and recently at a Padres Faith and Family Night, he and several other team members shared their testimonies of their complete surrender to the Lord. The Padres head team chaplain said it best when he stated, “Baseball is what these men do, but Christ-followers is who they are.” Please click hereto watch the video of the Padres’ Faith and Family Night.
Wesleyan is so proud of Wil. No matter where the Lord takes him in his career, he is always part of the Wesleyan family. We are thrilled to watch the Lord use him as he continues to give him a greater platform through baseball. We look forward to watching him accomplish even greater goals throughout his baseball career.
The Home Run Derby will air tonight, July 11, 8 p.m. on ESPN and simulcast on MLB.com.
The All-Star game is scheduled for Tuesday, July 12, 7:30 p.m. on FOX.