Jacob deGrom is Mets' lone All-Star selection; Jeurys Familia part of Final 5 vote

Mets righthander Jacob deGrom continued his rapid ascent as one of the game's premier young pitchers by being named to the National League All-Star team Monday.

"It's been unbelievable," said deGrom, a first-time All-Star. "I would never have imagined it. I'm just thankful for the opportunity that I've had."

For now, deGrom will be the Mets' sole representative, though that could change. Closer Jeurys Familia was named as one of the Final Five, eligible to be voted into the Midsummer Classic by fans.

For deGrom, the selection marked another defining moment since his emergence a season ago, when he parlayed a May call-up into the NL Rookie of the Year Award.

"Jake's been great, he really has been good," said Mets manager Terry Collins, who informed the pitcher of his selection a few days ago.

In a season that has been defined by the Mets' outstanding starting pitching, deGrom has emerged as the standout of the group, going 8-6 with a 2.30 ERA that ranks sixth among qualifying pitchers.

"I'm really honored to be pitching in the All-Star Game," he said.

The righthander's inclusion carried with it an added bonus: He made the team with the votes of his fellow players.

"It definitely means a lot," deGrom said. "Those are the guys that have to face me, and my teammates in here voted for me. It really means a lot to have people you play against, who actually face you, vote for you."

Now deGrom intends to take to Twitter in an effort to lobby for Familia, who faces a stiff test in the final fan voting. The closer is pitted against former All-Stars Johnny Cueto of the Reds, Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers and Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies. The ballot is rounded out by the Cardinals' Carlos Martinez.

"I would like to be there," said Familia, who is fourth in the NL with 22 saves in 24 chances and a 1.16 ERA.

Fans can vote for Familia by texting N2 to 89269. Voting closes on Friday. There's an online form, too, and fans can vote for Familia at mets.com/vote.

Fans also can take to Twitter on Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During that window, every tweet including each candidates' special hash tag counts as a vote.

"He's had an All-Star first half," Collins said. "With a decimated bullpen, this guy's saved us. We've asked him to do things that a lot of other closers don't do. In my mind, he's had an All-Star first half."

Familia doesn't have a Twitter account, though he might reconsider if it means picking up a few more votes. "If I have to do it," he said, "I'll do it."