[mikev]

GUTHRIE!



Byron Guthrie was named as the only representative for the Crusaders in the 2022 All-Star Game.

Guthrie, currently hitting .312/.340/.476 this season, was voted in as the starter at second base.

"Yeah man, it's a nice way to be acknowledged by the league. It's an honor," said Guthrie. "We're not having the best season, but I think we've got some good guys and I hope that we can turn things around and that I can be a part of it."

The 26 year old was acquired from Vancouver in the 2020 season, and has seen his hitting stats get better every year. His current .815 OPS is a career best, as is his .312 batting average. To top it off, he's got a .991 fielding percentage at second base, just a tick off his best ever.

Incidentally, Guthrie just inked a contract extension for the next 3 seasons. The deal will pay him $5.5 million per year, and bought out his 3 remaining arbitration seasons (as a Super Two, Guthrie was eligibile for the first of four arbitration years in the 2022 season).

"Hey, I love playing here. The Crusaders wanted me, they believed in me and put me in the lineup every day, no questions asked. There's something to be said for that, and it's no lie that nobody wants to actually go through arbitration. It's kind of a bummer, and being able to avoid it is really a cool thing for everybody, I think."

Guthrie can also make an extra $1 Million in any season he wins the hitter of the year award.