Whiteville native MacKenzie Gore notches 1st MLB All-Star Game selection..
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Washington Nationals starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore, a Whiteville native and Whiteville High School alumnus, is headed to his first Major League Baseball All-Star game next week.
Gore, who’s recorded a 3.11 earned run average (ERA) over 18 starts this season, learned the news Sunday. The pitcher has earned his spot as the Nationals’ ace this year, notching 131 strikeouts in 104.1 innings pitched – ranking second in the National League in punch outs as of Sunday. The lefthander was named Washington’s Opening Day starter earlier this year.
During his high school career in Whiteville, Gore established himself as one of the region’s – and nation’s – top pitchers. He registered a 0.08 ERA as a junior, striking out 174 hitters, and threw a no-hitter with 18 strikeouts that season. Behind Gore, the Wolfpack played in four straight 1A State Championship games, winning three times.
Gore entered the MLB Draft straight out of high school instead of pitching for East Carolina University, where he had committed. The San Diego Padres drafted him No. 3 overall in the 2017 draft, and he became one of the minor league’s best pitchers before making his big league debut in 2022. Later that summer he was part of the trade that sent Juan Soto from Washington to San Diego.
Gore is one of just two Nationals players to earn an All-Star nod. The 2025 MLB All-Star Game will be played Tuesday, July 15 at 8 p.m. at Truist Park in Atlanta.
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