CLEVELAND — When Guardians manager Stephen Vogt noticed he was surrounded by AL All-Star teammates Albert Pujols , Mike Trout and Robinson Cano , Vogt found himself fighting impostor syndrome.
"I'm like, 'What am I doing here?' And then in that same thought [it's], like, 'You belong here.' It was really cool and surreal all at the same time," Vogt said Sunday before the Guardians defeated the San Francisco Giants 5-4 at Progressive Field .
Not long after Vogt reflected on becoming an All-Star as an Oakland Athletics catcher in 2015 and 2016, Major League Baseball announced first-year manager Vogt and the Guardians will send five players to the 2024 All-Star Game on July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
It's the most All-Stars Cleveland baseball has produced in the same season since 2018, when the franchise had six representatives.
The Guardians learned Wednesday they will have two All-Star starters : third baseman Jose Ramirez and outfielder Steven Kwan .
Then on Sunday evening, closer Emmanuel Clase , first baseman Josh Naylor and utility man David Fry were unveiled as All-Stars during ESPN's selection show.
Ramirez and Kwan were voted All-Stars by fans. Clase, Naylor and Fry received the honor through a combination of "player ballot" choices and selections made by the MLB commissioner's office.
Ramirez earned his sixth All-Star nod (2017-18, 2021-24) and Clase his third (2022-24).
Kwan, Naylor and Fry are first-time All-Star selections. Cleveland baseball hasn't had three first-time All-Stars in the same season since 2016.
"It's so fun for our group to have five people going to represent us and five very, very deserving people as well," Vogt said. "I couldn't be more thrilled for Kwanny, Josh and David — first-time All-Stars."
The number of Cleveland players picked is a reflection of the success the Guardians have experienced this season en route to an AL-best record of 56-32. No other AL team has as many All-Stars as the 2024 Guardians.
"It's the best recognition you can get midseason, right?" Vogt said. "It's just a testament to what this group is doing together. Baseball's an individual game played for a team outcome, and to have guys be recognized on the highest stage in the middle of the season is really special. So those guys are going to be celebrated."
Clase leads the AL with 27 saves this season. He is 4-1 with a 0.85 ERA in 42⅓ innings. He has struck out 39, walked five and hit five batters. His WHIP is 0.64.
Vogt quipped Clase, 26, helps the rookie manager's "heart rate" when the closer is summoned from the bullpen.
"What Emmanuel brings, it's that fight, that consistency of coming in and it's like the game's over," Vogt said. "There's been a handful of times that it hasn't been the case, but that happens to everybody. But just the way he comes in and attacks, he wants to pitch.
"I've never seen a closer who — whether it's 8-0, a one-run game, we're down and he's throwing in the eighth — he comes in and has his ace stuff and he's attacking the outing as if it's a save. That's very rare. He takes the ball, and he's the same every single day."
For Clase, landing on the All-Star roster isn't getting old.
"It's still important because it's part of the goals when I start the season," Clase said through Guardians translator Agustin Rivero.
Naylor is ranked third in the AL with 66 RBIs this season, trailing only New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (83) and Guardians teammate Ramirez (76).
Naylor, 27, is hitting .243 with 21 home runs, 16 doubles, 50 runs scored and three stolen bases in 84 games. His OPS is .813.
Naylor has come a long way since a serious ankle injury ended his 2021 season. He nearly made the All-Star team last season.
"You've just got to keep going in life, I guess," Naylor said. "That's just what my parents preached to me with that injury. You can either shut down and give up or fight through it and continue on. This is my dream as a kid to be in this situation."
Fry, 28, has a .305 batting average with eight home runs, 14 doubles, 33 RBIs, 29 runs scored and four stolen bases in 66 games this season. His OPS is .920.
Vogt praised Fry for being a "self-made" player.
Fry conceded he didn't envision adding an All-Star selection to his resume at the beginning of this season.
"Heck, no," Fry said with a laugh. "Maybe Triple-A All-Star. I don't know. But, no, this is pretty cool. Didn't expect it, for sure."
More Guardians news: MLB All-Star Game starters include Cleveland's Jose Ramirez, Steven Kwan
With five Guardians chosen as 2024 All-Stars, Cleveland baseball has its most selections since 2018.
The franchise's All-Stars six years ago were Ramirez, Trevor Bauer , Michael Brantley , Yan Gomes , Corey Kluber and Francisco Lindor .
With three Guardians making their first All-Star roster this year, Cleveland baseball has its most players who fit the category since 2016, when Danny Salazar , Kluber and Lindor received the honor.
More Cleveland Guardians coverage: Ben Lively's breakout MLB season can be added to his collection of fascinating tales
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Emmanuel Clase, Josh Naylor among Guardians' 5 MLB All-Star picks
