Paul Goldschmidt, Patrick Corbin Selected to 2013 NL All-Star Team

Paul Goldschmidt makes his first All-Star Game appearance at age 25 - many would say he was unjustly overlooked last year, in favor of the Cubs' Bryan LaHair, who couldn't even get a job in the majors this year. But there's no doubt that Goldzilla has taken his game to an entirely new level this season. He has already matched his tally of home-runs for the whole of last year, with 20, and leads the league in RBI, having driven his 71st run of the season in, last night against the Rockies. He's currently on pace to become only the second Arizona player to post an OPS+ of 150 or better, following Luis Gonzalez in 2001.

He'll be the first Diamondback ever at the position to appear in the All-Star Game, though it has been suggested he could still be the DH [which is not voted on by National League fans]. Certainly, he'd be a very credible selection as that, and it would be great to have a Diamondbacks start the game, a feat not achieved since Curt Schilling opened on the mound in 2002. Previously, it's has been mostly outfielders and pitchers who have represented the Diamondbacks, but he will join Jay Bell and Matt Williams in 1999, Damian Miller and Junior Spivey (yep, probably counts as the D-backs version of LaHair!) from 2002, Orlando Hudson in 2007 and Miguel Montero in 2011.

Patrick Corbin, who'll turn 24-years-old later this month, will also be there, part of the NL roster of pitchers. He has been quite brilliant this season, posting a 2.49 ERA which is seventh-best in the National League to date, and didn't lose a decision until his 17th start of the season. His overall streak of 17 games without a loss, dating back to last season, is longer than Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling or Brandon Webb ever managed, and is tied for second in franchise history, behind (of all people!) Brian Anderson, who went 19 starts without an L - though it took him almost three years to do it, from 1997-2000.

Corbin becomes the latest in a long-line of D-backs starting pitchers to play in the midsummer classic, that goes back to Randy Johnson in 1999, with team-mate Wade Miley being our sole representative in 2012. Johnson was a five-time All-Star, and was joined by Curt Schilling (twice), Byung-Hyun Kim (2002), Brandon Webb (three times) Jose Valverde (2007), Dan Haren (twice) and Miley. Corbin will not quite be the youngest D-backs pitcher to make the All-Star Game, as Kim was 23 years and 171 days when he was on the roster.

Congratulations go to Goldschmidt and Corbin, for an honor that's absolutely well-deserved.