By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
For the second straight season and second time of his career overall — first while a member of the Philadelphia Phillies — catcher J.T. Realmuto is headed to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
J.T Realmuto has been named to his second All-Star Game! pic.twitter.com/pP62SgBLSW
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) June 30, 2019
Realmuto was chosen for the All-Star Game via player balloting. He was second (204) behind Cubs' Contreras (242), who won the fan vote. #Phillies
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) June 30, 2019
Sunday evening, the 28-year-old, six-year veteran was named to the National League All-Star roster as a reserve, along with Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Josh Bell, Anthony Rendon, Paul DeJong, Charlie Blackmon, David Dahl, Trevor Story, Kris Bryant, Mike Moustakas, and Yasmani Grandal.
The Phillies acquired Realmuto this past offseason from the Miami Marlins for Jorge Alfaro, international bonus slot money, along with minor-leaguers Sixto Sanchez and Will Stewart.
Entering Sunday in the NL, Realmuto had posted the sixth-best defensive WAR (1.2), the third-most total zone runs (11), while logging the most caught stealings (24) and double plays turned (7) among catchers.
In the Phillies' 13-6 victory on Sunday against his former club, Realmuto wentt 2-for-3 with a run scored, raising his season slash to .265/.319/.431, along with 10 home runs and 37 RBI through 79 games.
As of now, Realmuto is the lone Phillies All-Star representative. This year's Midsummer Classic is set for Tuesday, July 9, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
