Young Bucs Pitchers Reveled in 2023 All-Star Experience

Mitch Keller and David Bednar had a blast representing the Pittsburgh Pirates at the 2023 MLB All-Star Game in Seattle.

It’s been nine months now since Keller and Bednar received word from their manager, Derek Shelton, that they would be busy during the 2023 All-Star break, and the kids still stretch their longest smiles when remembering the experience.

Shortly after the Pirates opened camp last month, when asked about one of their career highlights, coming up with details on what they did on the field, who they mingled with, and how their families were a big part of them being National League All-Stars is exciting.

“I had to pinch myself when I had a moment in the clubhouse,” said Bednar, who, in his third full season as a Pirate in 2023, collected a career-high 39 saves. “I looked around the room and recognized so many players. I wanted to pick their brains.”

As kids, both Keller and Bednar admit to making it a point to watch the MLB mid-summer classic each season. Having so many of their favorite players together on the same team for one night was as good as it got for the future big-league hurlers.

Bednar, who was also selected for the National League squad the previous season, remains happy he had familiar faces to share his baseball honor with.

“It was so cool. I soaked in so much of being a part of the event,” said Bednar, a Pittsburgh native. “Sharing (the All-Star selection) with Mitch and “Sheltie” made it all so much more special.”

“Sheltie” is Pirates’ manager Derek Shelton.

With the National League skippered by Philadelphia Phillies’ Rob Thomson and his coaching staff (each league is represented by the coaching staff of the previous season’s World Series clubs), Shelton was the lone “outsider” to the staff. Thomson and Shelton have a professional relationship tracing back to their minor league days while in the New York Yankees’ organization.

Bednar was well represented, personally, at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park. Along with his parents, wife Casey, his brother, and sister, there was much pride from those who have known the closer the longest.

Catching up with fellow National League All-Star Devin Williams of the Milwaukee Brewers, who was a teammate of Bednar’s with Team USA for the 2023 World Baseball Classic, bringing home a signed jersey filled with names of the game’s elite who made up the All-Star teams, these memories are stamped in the Pirates’ pitcher's mind.

Keller, who, like Bednar in 2023, was in his third full season with Pittsburgh, was no fluke to receive all-star honors in 2023. As one of 11 starters selected to represent the National League, Keller was chosen by Thomson to be among the nine pitchers used in the game.

“It (the 2023 All-Star Game) was a surreal experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Keller recalls while sitting at his clubhouse stall at Pirate City. “It was nice to share a locker room with guys from the league.”

“Guys” who are normally foes, but for the schedule break last July became teammates, Keller hung with Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw, Atlanta’s Spencer Strider, and with pitching ace Corbin Burnes (then with the Brewers and most recently traded to the Baltimore Orioles).

Having an unobstructed, up-close view of the 2023 All-Star Home Run Derby the evening before the game was another highlight for Keller to remember.

“Getting to watch all the greats was amazing. Julio Rodriquez was incredible, when he was up at bat in the derby”, Keller tells of the Seattle Mariners’ center fielder’s performance which totaled 41 home runs, setting the single-round record in Home Run Derby history.

Like Bednar, Keller was well represented by family members who made the trip out to the Pacific Northwest.

Participating in the red carpet walk and all the events planned by MLB to make this annual jewel event a must-see for the millions of fans watching on FOX and listening on ESPN Radio made Keller’s first-time selection as an All-Star unforgettable.

Bednar, who replaced Kershaw due to injury, tied for first in the National League last season in saves with 39. Keller ended his season with a 13-9 record, and 210 strikeouts (tied for fifth in the league). With the optimism surrounding both Pittsburgh pitchers’ careers, predicting more appearances at MLB’s All-Star Games isn't a stretch.