The reported odds that a high school senior baseball player will be drafted to the big leagues one day are 0.5%.
But, what are the chances they become an all-star, or that two all-stars come from the same county and section?
Those odds are even slimmer, but New Rochelle native Josiah Gray and Rye’s George Kirby have shown that it’s not impossible.
The two Section 1 products were awarded spots in this year’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game, adding even more excitement to those watching from back home in Westchester.
“Growing up, we actually played on a travel team together my senior year of high school, before I went to Le Moyne,” Gray said. “We stayed in touch a bit. Then, last summer, when we went to Seattle, he was in the big leagues and I was in the big leagues as well, so we caught up then. We’re friends and it’s a lot of fun to see another guy from Westchester make the All-Star Game as well.”
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It’ll be their first time participating in the Midsummer Classic.
Gray, a 2015 New Rochelle High School graduate, first learned of his all-star nod just before the Fourth of July holiday.
Kirby, a 2016 Rye High School graduate, was later added onto the American League All-Star team as an alternate.
“I was super excited, I didn’t expect it,” said Kirby to reporters, shortly after learning the news. “It’s a great honor. I’m really, really happy.”
Gray has been a bright spot for the Washington Nationals and has given them a chance to win whenever he takes the mound.
It’s been quite the journey for Gray, who emerged from New Rochelle with only one scholarship offer, found success at the Division II level for Le Moyne, and is now enjoying a breakout season with the Nationals.
“I always talked about wanting to play baseball at the next level,” Gray said. “Being an all-star never dawned on me, I just wanted to play professional baseball, whether it was get drafted or just get to the big leagues and have a good career.
“Here I am, a few years later, being able to say I’m an all-star – it’s super surreal. I don’t take it lightly. I worked every day to be a productive big leaguer and to be here now, it’s super cool. I’m just really grateful for the Nats and everyone who put me in this opportunity.”
As for Kirby, he quickly ascended to being one of the top young pitchers in the MLB. After making his debut last summer, he’s already cracked the AL All-Star team in his first full season with the Seattle Mariners.
It’s been a whirlwind, and he’s looking forward to soaking in the all-star festivities.
“Meeting all the guys, people I’ve watched growing up, that’ll probably be the coolest part about it,” Kirby said. “Just meeting everyone. I’m excited to meet everyone and take it all in.”
They also have some advice for the future all-stars that may emerge from Section 1.
“For kids coming from Westchester or a small school … any kid out there, just seek out all the opportunities,” Gray said. “Make sure you check every box in what you’re doing to prepare yourself for the game and just become a better player every day, however you can and see fit. That’s the route that helped me. I was relentless, and I still am relentless to get better every day.”
Josiah Gray’s journey
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2015 New Rochelle High School graduate
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Played three seasons at Le Moyne College, before being in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds
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Made MLB debut in 2021 with the Los Angeles Dodgers
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This season: 6-7 record, on pace for career-best marks with a 3.41 ERA and 92 strikeouts over 100⅓ innings in his second full season, fourth overall year in the MLB
George Kirby’s journey
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2016 Rye High School graduate
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Played three seasons at Elon University, was named 2019 CAA Pitcher of the Year, before being drafted in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners
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Made MLB Debut in 2022 with the Mariners
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This season: 8-7 record, 3.09 ERA, leads the MLB in strikeout-to-walk ratio (8.90) and walks allowed per nine innings (0.84). Also has 89 strikeouts, 10 walks and 14 quality starts out of 17 appearances, which is tied for the most in the MLB.
How to watch the 2023 MLB All-Star Game
When: 8 pm ET
Where: T-Mobile Park, Seattle, Washington
TV: FOX
Live stream: FoxSports.com
Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Josiah Gray, George Kirby represent Westchester at MLB All-Star Game