When the best and brightest of the American and National Leagues convene at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, the 96th All-Star Game in MLB history will take place. But for some of the players, it will be their first taste of the “Midsummer Classic.”
One of those players is 25-year-old Parker Messick, a crafty left-handed starting pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians who boasts an impressive 2.73 ERA in 19 outings so far in his dominant start to 2026. Messick will join teammates and fellow All-Star Game first-timers Travis Bazzana (second baseman) and Cade Smith (closer) in Philadelphia.
The trio will represent a Guardians club that is tied for first place in the AL Central Division.
>> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports & faith connect <<
“I was in high school, going over to my buddy’s house watching the Home Run Derby and watching the All-Star Game,” Messick said last week, via Roundtable Sports, after his All-Star Game selection. “I feel like that was yesterday. I felt like that was so far away. Now that it’s here, just thank the Lord that I’m in this position. All glory and honor to Him.”
Parker Messick, K'ing the Side in the 3rd.
And touching 98 mph 😲 pic.twitter.com/PNrXx80xf4
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 18, 2026
The former Florida State Seminole and 2021 ACC Pitcher of the Year was selected 54th overall by Cleveland in the 2022 MLB Draft. By August 2025, the Guardians had promoted him to the majors, where he appeared in seven games throughout August and September. He began the 2026 season in Cleveland.
Despite his seven appearances in 2025, Messick is in the running for the 2026 AL Rookie of the Year award. He leads all American League rookies in ERA and all MLB rookies in innings pitched (112.0). Along with Bazzana, Messick is one of just five rookies in Cleveland’s storied history to be named to the All-Star team.
During his short time in the majors, Messick has established himself not only as one of the best pitchers in baseball but also a vocal follower of Christ.
“Jesus won,” he said on an episode of the Sports Spectrum Podcast last week. “He won the battle over life and death, and His sacrifice — the Lord sent His Son to suffer that gruesome death that we all deserve, something that we could never repay.
“The fact that He won the battle over the enemy and won the battle over death means that we get to live in servitude of Him. We get to serve His name. Basically, every day of our lives should be in gratitude for the life that He lived for us, showing us the path to Him and the path to eternity with Him.”
Messick is known for kneeling to pray on the mound, wearing “Jesus Won” shirts during interviews, and frequently posting about Jesus on social media. He declares in his Instagram bio that “Christ is King,” and he even sported a hat that reads, “Jesus is Lord” for his interview with Sports Spectrum.
Messick’s assurance in Christ gives him peace about who God made him to be, even in the face of criticism and derision from opposing fans.
“Those words don’t mean anything to me,” he said on the podcast. “I know Who my Savior is. I know what He did for me on the cross, and I know what He calls me to be and I know what He says about me.”
View this post on Instagram
Messick also shared a story on the podcast about how he witnessed the incredible healing power of God in his family’s life. He grew up in a large and faithful family, and he was baptized at 8 years old. But during his junior year of high school, that faith was tested. His grandfather — the spiritual leader of the family — wasn’t feeling well, so he was taken to the hospital and it was discovered that he had developed a cancerous mass on his pancreas.
The doctors scheduled a biopsy for a few weeks later, and the Messick family began to pray ceaselessly for healing. Then, when the doctors did a scan to begin the procedure, the unthinkable had happened: They found no trace of cancer anywhere.
“I remember when I got the news of that, I just remember being like, ‘All right, Lord. If I didn’t think You were real then, I do now. I know for a fact that Jesus is Lord.’
“… [My grandfather] is still happy and healthy, and he was just at my game last week. It was one of the coolest moments where I’ve just seen the Lord truly put His hands on my family.”
Messick has seen up close and experienced deeply the goodness, love and power of the One who holds all things in His hands. And he’s eager to talk about Him with any who will listen.
View this post on Instagram
Messick and his fellow American League All-Stars will try to take down the favored National League at 8 p.m. ET. The winner has alternated between the leagues for the past four seasons, with the NL emerging victorious, 7-6, last season.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
RELATED STORIES:
— SS PODCAST: Parker Messick on prayer, grandfather’s healing
— Cleveland Guardians closer Cade Smith knows ‘who I am in Jesus’
— Padres closer Mason Miller knows ‘Jesus won the battle’
— GET IN THE GAME PODCAST: Ryan Thompson – D-backs Pitcher
— No. 6 pick Zion Rose heads to Royals seeking to remain ‘all about God’
