Louisville high school products make big-league impact as MLB hits All-Star break

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- It's the All-Star break this week for Major League Baseball.

In the first half of the MLB season, five Louisville high school products contributed for big league teams. The 2025 MLB All-Star Game will be held on Tuesday in Atlanta.

Here's a rundown of some players with local connections ahead of the "Midsummer Classic."

University of Louisville

Padres Dodgers Baseball — Los Angeles Dodgers' Will Smith, right hits a walk-off home run as San Diego Padres catcher Elias Diaz watches during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mark J. Terrill

Will Smith | Los Angeles Dodgers: The Kentucky Country Day graduate is having his best offensive season in his seventh year in the big leagues. He’s leading the National League in batting average (.323) and on-base percentage (.425). The All-Star catcher has 12 home runs, 46 RBI, a 171 OPS+ and .966 OPS. He’ll be the NL’s starting catcher in the All-Star game Tuesday and has compiled a 3.8 WAR in 74 games.

Tyler Fitzgerald | San Francisco Giants: The utility man has played second base this season for the Giants. Prior to recently being demoted to AAA due to offensive struggles, Fitzgerald played in 63 games, hitting .227 with three home runs and 13 RBI. He has an 80 OPS+ and 1.2 WAR.

Chad Green | Toronto Blue Jays: The reliever has been a valuable member of the surging first-place Blue Jays. Green has a 3.60 ERA in 40 innings, but his strikeout percentage has declined to a career-low of 19.2%, compared to his career rate of 30.2%.

Reid Detmers | Los Angeles Angels: The left-hander made the transition from starter to reliever in the first half after the move in spring training. He has appeared in 40 games, pitching to a 4.15 ERA and averaging 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings.

Bryan Hoeing | San Diego Padres: The right-hander returned from injury in late June to a strong Padres bullpen. He’s a multi-inning option for manager Mike Shildt. Hoeing has appeared in six games and allowed three runs. He has an ERA of 3.86 in seven innings.

Henry Davis | Pittsburgh Pirates: After starting the season in the minors, the former No. 1 overall draft pick in 2021 has played in 46 games at catcher. The Pirates tried him in right field in 2023 before he returned behind the plate. Davis is hitting .198 with four home runs and 12 RBI with a 63 OPS+.

Dalton Rushing | Los Angeles Dodgers: The 24-year-old has been the backup catcher for Smith on the first-place Dodgers. He’s played in 24 games and has a .221 average in 68 at-bats. Rushing has also appeared at first base four times.

University of Kentucky

Taylor Rogers | Cincinnati Reds: The 10-year veteran has been a reliable left-hander for manager Terry Francona. Rogers has a 2.76 ERA in 29.1 innings, along with 32 strikeouts. He’s a free agent at the end of the season, so depending on the next few weeks for the Reds, Rogers could be an attractive bullpen piece at the trade deadline.

Bellarmine University

Brandon Pfaadt | Arizona Diamondbacks: The Trinity High School graduate is 9-6 in 19 starts, pitching to a 5.16 ERA in 99.1 innings. Pfaadt goes into the All-Star break off his longest start in his career. The right-hander went eight innings and limited the Padres to two runs on four hits in an 8-2 Diamondbacks victory July 9. He’s tied for third in the NL with nine wins this season.

Indiana University

Kyle Schwarber | Philadelphia Phillies: The power-hitter surpassed 300 career home runs earlier this season. Schwarber has 30 home runs and 69 RBI and another All-Star selection. The left-handed hitting designated hitter has 151 OPS+ and .378 on-base percentage.

Tim Herrin | Cleveland Guardians: The hard-throwing left-handed reliever was sent down to AAA earlier this month. He’s pitched to a 3.99 ERA in 29.1 innings, but his walk rate jumped from 9.7% last year to 16.7% this season.

Jack Perkins | Athletics: He made his MLB debut in June and had two scoreless outings to begin his career. The right-hander has a 3.72 ERA in 9.2 innings and 11 strikeouts. He also has two saves.

Louisville high school products

Daylen Lile | Washington Nationals: The Trinity High School graduate made his MLB debut May 23 and collected his first career hit on the same night. The 22-year-old right fielder has played in 33 games and is hitting .234 with two home runs and eight RBI.

Jo Adell | Los Angeles Angels: The Ballard High School graduate is just a home run shy of tying his career-high in a season. Adell, who has primarily played center field this year, has 19 home runs and 54 RBI heading into the All-Star Break. The 26-year-old has an 118 OPS+ and .800 OPS in 89 games, his most productive season in his sixth year.

Trey Sweeney | Detroit Tigers: The shortstop from St. Xavier High School has played a part in the Tigers’ hot start and best record in the American League. Sweeney is hitting .215 with five home runs and 27 RBI in 80 games. He was optioned to AAA in late June, but returned July 2.

Joe Boyle | Tampa Bay Rays: After being named International League Pitcher of the Month in June, Boyle was called up to the Rays in July. He has a 1.29 ERA in 14 innings.

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