'Pretty cool': Versatile McKinstry becomes Tigers' fifth All-Star

DETROIT -- There was a lake in the Pacific Northwest in Zach McKinstry’s plans for the All-Star break, but he’ll be heading to Atlanta instead. As the latest Tiger to be named to the American League All-Star team, the do-everything, play-anywhere contributor gives Detroit five All-Star players for the first time since 2013.

McKinstry replaces Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña, who will attend the festivities but will not play due to a fractured rib. But while McKinstry replaced a shortstop, the first-time All-Star could well play anywhere. He has played everywhere but catcher during his three seasons as a Tiger, including every infield position and both outfield corners this year. It’s a key part of his journey from utility player to key cog in the club’s rise to the best record (59-35) in the Majors.

“I’ll bring two [gloves] with me, the outfield and the infield glove,” said McKinstry, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI double in a 7-3 loss to the Rays on Wednesday night at Comerica Park. “We’ll keep the first-base one in the locker.”

McKinstry entered Wednesday’s series finale at 2.5 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball-Reference, and a 2.8 WAR, according to FanGraphs. Only fellow All-Stars Tarik Skubal and Riley Greene rated higher among Tigers, and McKinstry’s fWAR ranked 11th among AL hitters.

“Because he’s playing somewhere different every day, you can get lost a little bit,” manager A.J. Hinch said Monday. “What does he bring to the table? Everything. And I’m proud of him for how he’s methodically gone through this -- in and out of the lineup, and then in the lineup a lot -- and maintained his discipline at the plate.

“He’s taking care of himself. He’s opportunistic on the bases. Contribute[s] to a win every day, and he’s going to get the recognition that he deserves. I do know that I get asked about him a lot from the other side, which is the biggest praise you can get internally, inside the game.”

McKinstry had finished just outside the finalists at third base in fan voting for the All-Star lineups, falling about 75,000 votes shy. He was left off the reserves Sunday, but the Tigers and Hinch had lobbied for his inclusion as a replacement should the need arise.

McKinstry said he’d spend the second half showing why he should have been included, but the last few days have been a showcase for his argument. He entered Sunday’s game in Cleveland as a pinch-hitter, stole second base and scored from third on a wild pitch to tie the game with two outs in the ninth. A day later, he homered in a win over the Rays and threw out a potential tying run with a highlight toss from right field to third base.

The announcement was made between innings on Wednesday. But while the Tigers held off on the official announcement until the Astros clarified Peña’s status, the club told McKinstry in a meeting that included Hinch, coaches and his fellow Detroit All-Stars. The rest of the team learned Wednesday afternoon.

“It was a pretty cool moment to have those guys in there with me,” McKinstry said. “A.J. just said all the players here are All-Stars. That was pretty cool.”

Said catcher Jake Rogers: “We found out and the whole clubhouse erupted. Honestly, I couldn’t think of a human more deserving. He’s got all of his ups and downs and the teams he’s been with. He’s definitely a grinder, and it’s pretty cool to see a guy like that do so well at all positions around the field. That’s what I told him: ‘No one more deserving.’”

McKinstry wasn’t the only Tiger added to the All-Star festivities on Wednesday. Bat boy/clubhouse assistant Frankie Boyd won the All-Star Ball Crew fan vote, beating out three other finalists from around the league for the chance to be part of the All-Star crew. The Tigers made a big get-out-the-vote push, including player campaigning, to get Boyd to Atlanta.

“We badly wanted Frank to get there,” Hinch said. “I did, for his own well-being in our [clubhouse]. Because when you’re up for something like that, if you miss out, the boys would let you know it. … They gave him a big ovation, and we tried to embarrass him as much as we could.”