White Sox rookie center fielder Tristan Peters probably couldn’t dream up a better 24-hour period if he tried.
Friday night, he worked his way into Sox annals by becoming the seventh player in franchise history to hit for the cycle during a 14-1 win against the Athletics.
Then on Saturday morning, he learned he had been selected to the American League All-Star roster as a replacement, joining Sox teammates Miguel Vargas and Munetaka Murakami for the Tuesday game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Murakami also will be participating in the Home Run Derby on Monday.
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“I mean, it’s surreal,” Peters, 26, said before Saturday afternoon’s game at Rate Field. “It doesn’t feel real at the moment. I can’t believe this is all happening. It feels like all at once. I’m just so grateful.”
Peters, who’s slashing .303/.357/.484, replaces Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz, who was placed on the injured list Saturday with a right thumb sprain.
Sox manager Will Venable said the nod was well-deserved.
“He’s accomplished a lot this year and has had a lot of exciting moments,” he said. “Especially on the heels of last night, with a special performance, that this All-Star selection is obviously very special for him.
Peters has come a long way since the beginning of the season.
He told reporters Saturday that he wasn’t sure he’d make the opening-day roster — and he and wife Erin welcomed a baby girl, Elaine, during the middle of spring training.
Peters said he was stunned and speechless when he learned he was named an All-Star. His wife had a different reaction.
“She was still in bed, actually,” he said, laughing. “The baby’s been giving her a tough time. But she was so pumped — probably more than me.”
Peters said it has been tough balancing baseball and family, especially as new parents, but “she’s holding down the fort. She’s almost a single mom half the time I’m gone, (which is) so often.
“She’s a super mom, really. She lets me sleep at night, she takes care of the baby. She’s the real hero in this situation.”
While Erin kept home life in order, Peters worked on his game.
“I went into it (thinking) I’m going to try to make the most out of it, and just be who I am as a player too,” he said. “And I know there was a lot of bunting in the beginning and just trying to figure out who I am at a big level, and they (Sox coaches) give space for that too.”
Hitting coaches advised him on how to work on his mechanics, including correcting the lower half of his swing and turning on balls properly.
“They kind of joke like, ‘If you do this, you’ll be an All-Star,’” Peters recalled. “And I don’t know if they were kidding. It felt like kind of sarcasm. But (I) worked with them, and now that’s come true, and it’s just truly incredible.”
Peters entered Saturday’s game having racked up 20 doubles, three triples, six home runs, 35 RBIs and 37 runs scored in 89 games. He ranks first among MLB rookies (minimum 260 plate appearances) in slugging percentage and average, second in OPS and tied for second in doubles.
Peters is the Sox’s ninth rookie named to the All-Star Game, joining Murakami, Shane Smith (2025), José Abreu (2014), Ron Kittle (1983), Carlos May (1969), Tommie Agee (1966), Jim Busby (1951) and Minnie Miñoso (1951). He’s also the first Canadian-born Sox player to be named an All-Star.
The only downside: the Peters family had to change its vacation plans. “We had plans already with some friends on a lake house,” he said.
It was by Grass Lake, near Antioch, if Peters recalls correctly.
“We got an Airbnb, but she was like, she was so pumped,” he said. “We’re like, ‘We’re going to Philadelphia. Don’t matter. We change our plans.’”
