Zack Greinke named to Sporting News NL All-Star team

Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke was named to the 2015 Sporting News National League All-Star team, the publication announced on Wednesday.

The team was selected by a panel of 25 National League executives before the postseason began, and though the voting totals were not released Sporting News did say pitcher was its closest position, with Greinke "edging out" both Clayton Kershaw and Jake Arrieta, the trio which figure to dominate the top three NL pitching spots during award season.

Greinke was 19-3 with a major-league-best 1.66 ERA in 2015, with 200 strikeouts and 40 walks in his 222⅔ innings in 32 starts. He led the majors in WHIP (0.844) and quality starts (30), the first major leaguer with 30 quality starts in a season since 2010.

This was the second Sporting News All-Star honor for Greinke, who was the American League starting pitcher in 2009, the same season he capture AL Cy Young Award honors.

Joining Greinke on the Sporting News NL All-Star team is catcher Buster Posey of the Giants, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt of the Diamondbacks, second baseman Dee Gordon of the Marlins, third baseman Nolan Arenado of the Rockies, Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford, outfielders Bryce Harper of the Nationals, Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates and A.J. Pollock of Arizona, and Pirates closer Mark Melancon.

Greinke is the seventh Dodgers starting pitcher to be named a Sporting News NL All-Star (separate league All-Stars voted on since 1961), joining Sandy Koufax (1963-66), Clayton Kershaw (2011, 2013-14), Fernando Valenzuela (1981, 1986), Don Drysdale (1962), Andy Messersmith (1974) and Orel Hershiser (1988).