D-backs’ Joe Mantiply changes up family vacation after All-Star Game nod
Jul 11, 2022, 1:50 PM | Updated: Jul 12, 2022, 11:09 am
Arizona Diamondbacks' Joe Mantiply pitches during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Joe Mantiply and his family had to change their vacation plans for next week.
With the original intention to stay in San Diego over the All-Star break, Mantiply had one other idea his family won’t mind.
Mantiply found out Sunday afternoon that he made his first career All-Star game in Los Angeles with only his family left to tell.
Guess the Mantiply family will have to change their All-Star break plans! pic.twitter.com/Lero3xwl87
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 11, 2022
“So we’re going to have to cancel that place in San Diego,” Mantiply told his family over the phone. “It’s pretty cool, huh?”
Mantiply will be the lone All-Star to represent the Diamondbacks in Los Angeles next week.
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Mantiply was drafted in the 48th round of the 2009 MLB Draft by New York, however, he didn’t play with the Mets and decided to attend Virginia Tech to play collegiate baseball. He was later drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2012 but remained in college.
After his senior season at Virginia Tech, Mantiply was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 27th round of the 2013 MLB Draft.
He made his major league debut on Sept. 3, 2016, with Detroit.
Following his five-game stint with the Tigers, Mantiply appeared in just one game with the New York Yankees.
On January 20, 2020, Mantiply signed a minor-league deal with the D-backs. Months later On September 1, 2020, the D-backs selected Mantiply’s contract to the active roster.
Mantiply appeared in 57 games for Arizona last season as he became a regular bullpen pitcher before breaking out this year.
Despite struggling when he first entered the league, Mantiply is pitching the best baseball of his career this season for Arizona.
In 35 games this season, the southpaw is sporting a superb 1.83 ERA across 34.1 innings pitched.
Amid the D-backs’ struggles this season, Mantiply has been a force to be reckoned with in the bullpen and soon will have an All-Star appearance to show for it.
