Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen, originally from Washington state, was named to the American League roster for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game held next week. Rasmussen, a right-hander, is the latest player from Washington to earn this honor, following his standout performance this season.
Washington’s Representation Among MLB All-Stars Expands
Rasmussen, born in Puyallup and an alumnus of Mount Spokane High School, joins two other Washington natives representing the National League in this year’s All-Star lineup. Cubs left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd, from Mercer Island and Eastside Catholic, and Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll, from Seattle’s Lakeside High School, also received All-Star nods. Rasmussen and Boyd share the distinction of being first-time All-Stars who played college baseball at Oregon State.
Career Progression and Recent Performance of Rasmussen
Initially drafted by the Rays in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft, Rasmussen did not sign at that time. He was selected again in the sixth round in 2018 by the Milwaukee Brewers after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery. The Rays acquired Rasmussen in a trade during 2021, and he has since emerged as a key starting pitcher. At 29 years old, Rasmussen boasts a 2.82 ERA and a 1.007 WHIP across 18 starts this season, striking out 76 batters while issuing 21 walks over 89 1/3 innings. This continues a trend, as he has maintained an ERA below 3.00 for each of the past three campaigns.
Roster Changes Lead to Rasmussen’s All-Star Inclusion
Rasmussen was selected as a replacement on the All-Star roster for former Seattle Mariners left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, who is slated to start for the Los Angeles Angels on the Saturday before the All-Star Game, making him ineligible to pitch in Atlanta on Tuesday. Kikuchi, a two-time All-Star and previously the only Mariners representative in 2021, opted out of playing that year’s game. Meanwhile, Randy Arozarena’s addition to the American League roster marks a fifth All-Star appearance connected to the Mariners organization.
The Significance of Rasmussen’s Selection for Washington Baseball
Drew Rasmussen’s inclusion in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game highlights the continuing rise of pitchers from Washington state within professional baseball, underscoring the importance of the region’s development programs and collegiate pathways like Oregon State’s. His breakthrough season and consistent performance contribute to Tampa Bay’s competitive rotation and emphasize the growing influence of Washington-born players in the MLB landscape. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how Rasmussen performs on the All-Star stage and beyond as the season progresses.