Zack Greinke, Joc Pederson, Yasmani Grandal, Adrian Gonzalez named to NL All-Star team

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers had four players selected to the National League All-Star team on Monday, with pitcher Zack Greinke, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, outfielder Joc Pederson and catcher Yasmani Grandal all slated for the midsummer classic at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on July 14.

One who didn't make it is Clayton Kershaw, but more on him in a moment. He made the Final Vote, which means there is still a chance for Kershaw to make the team.

"You could argue for more of our guys, but I think we're pretty well represented," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly.

For Grandal, this is first selection to the All-Star Game. He was a selection by manager Bruce Bochy.

"I'm humbled by it," Grandal said.

Pederson was a player selection, fourth among NL outfielders with 365 votes, behind elected starters Bryce Harper (680 votes) and Giancarlo Stanton (626), and Andrew McCuthen (421).

"It means they respect the way I play the game," Pederson said. "It's a big honor, that this stuff doesn't go unnoticed."

Like Grandal, Pederson is a first-time All-Star selection, the sixth Dodgers rookie to be named an All-Star.

"For the first timers, it's always exciting," Mattingly said. "It will be a confidence booster for both guys."

"Andrew [Friedman, Dodgers president of baseball operations] came up to me and said, 'Don wants to talk to you in the office,' and usually that's not a good sign," Pederson said, laughing. "But when I got in there, the mood changed real quick."

Pederson is tied for fifth in the NL with 20 home runs, and said he would participate in the Home Run Derby if asked. He said he was also approached a few weeks ago about possibly participating, but wanted to see if he made the roster first.

"I think that's the only reason I was picked for the All-Star team because I have some homers," Pederson said. "I think it would be really fun."

Pederson said if he gets picked for the Home Run Derby he would have Dodgers Triple-A coach Johhny Washington pitch to him. Washington was Pederson's hitting coach at rookie-level Ogden in 2011.

Greinke is an All-Star for a third time, along with 2009 and 2014. He was a player selection, third among National League starting pitchers with 227 votes, behind Max Scherzer (354) and Gerrit Cole (274).

"The best part is just getting to talk to all the best players in the game, finding out a little bit about them and what makes them good," Greinke said.

Gonzalez makes his fifth All-Star team, and his first since 2011. He was a manager selection. Gonzalez is the first Dodgers first baseman to be named an All-Star since Nomar Garciaparra in 2006.