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With the baseball season at its All-Star Break, let's take a look at how some of the stars with Central Mass. ties are doing in Major League Baseball.
Central Mass. has had its share of local stars living out their dreams in The Show over the years, and have a few more just a phone call away from joining them. Jennifer Toland took a look at how Sean Burke, Ian Seymour, Matt Shaw and Ryan Ward are doing this year on the big stage.
It has so far been a resurgent season for Burke and the White Sox.
In his final start before the All-Star break, Burke, the former St. John’s High star from Sutton, dazzled against the Athletics. In seven innings, Burke allowed 1 run on 4 hits and struck out 9.
Burke (6-4, 3.41 ERA) has played an important role in helping the White Sox, who lost 102 games last season, to first place in the AL Central.
Burke, who has 115 strikeouts, has fanned at least eight batters in four of his last five outings. His ERA in those five games is 1.69.
Burke, who was a third-round draft pick out of the University of Maryland in 2021, was the White Sox 2025 Opening Day starter, but he struggled in his first full MLB season, and the team optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte last August.
He returned to the big-league club in September and finished 4-11 with a 4.22 ERA, 133 strikeouts and 63 walks while giving up 23 home runs.
Already this season, Burke has gone six or more innings nine times. He lasted six-plus innings in eight games last year.
Seymour, the former St. John’s High star from Westborough, memorably made his major-league debut in relief against the Red Sox last June 10 at Fenway Park.
The lefty began the 2026 season in the Rays’ bullpen, made a couple of spot starts and joined the rotation earlier this month.
In 33 appearances (six starts), Seymour is 6-2 with a 4.59 ERA and 2 saves. He has struck out 75 and walked 24.
On July 7, Seymour earned the win against the Yankees. He allowed 3 runs on 5 hits and struck out 12, a career high.
Seymour had a rough outing in his last start before the All-Star break, lasting just 3⅓ innings and taking the loss against the Mariners.
Seymour, a second-round draft pick out of Virginia Tech in 2020, made five late-season starts for the Rays last season.
In bulk relief against the Royals on June 25, Seymour did not allow a hit in 6⅔ innings and was part of a combined no-hitter that the Royals broke up in the ninth inning with a home run off Craig Kimbrel.
According to the Rays, Seymour was just the third pitcher since 1980 to throw at least 6-2/3 relief innings without allowing a hit.
The Rays enter the All-Star break atop the AL East standings.
Shaw, the former Worcester Academy standout from Brimfield, has dealt with some injuries during his second MLB season.
Shaw is currently on the IL with a left hand sprain. In May, he was sidelined with back tightness.
Shaw, a first-round pick out of the University of Maryland in 2023, was the Cubs’ starting third baseman his rookie season. After the team signed Alex Bregman in the offseason, Shaw moved into a utility role.
This year, he has played all three outfield positions, first, second and third, and DH. Most of his action has been in right field.
Through 56 games, Shaw is batting .246 with 4 homers and 20 RBIs. He had a .395 on-base percentage in 14 games in June.
The Cubs are in second place in the NL Central, five games behind the Brewers.
After seven years in the Dodgers minor-league system, Ward, of Millbury, made his major-league debut on April 19. He played in two games, started one at first base, collected his first two hits and drove in a run.
Two days later, when Freddie Freeman returned from the paternity list, the Dodgers optioned Ward to Triple-A Oklahoma City, but brought him back to the big-league roster on May 29.
Ward spent a month with the Dodgers and returned to Oklahoma City when veteran slugger Teoscar Hernandez came off the injury list on June 29.
In 20 games with LA, Ward batted .218 with 3 home runs and 12 RBIs.
Ward, an All-American at Bryant University, was an eighth-round pick of the Dodgers in 2019.
Ward was the 2025 Pacific Coast League MVP after leading Minor League Baseball with 36 home runs, 122 RBI, 73 extra-base hits and 315 total bases.
–Contact Jennifer Toland at [email protected]. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @JenTolandTG.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: How are 4 Central Mass. baseball stars doing at the MLB All-Star break
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Central Mass. has had its share of local stars living out their dreams in The Show over the years, and have a few more just a phone call away from joining them. Jennifer Toland took a look at how Sean Burke, Ian Seymour, Matt Shaw and Ryan Ward are doing this year on the big stage.
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Sean Burke
Chicago White Sox
It has so far been a resurgent season for Burke and the White Sox.
In his final start before the All-Star break, Burke, the former St. John’s High star from Sutton, dazzled against the Athletics. In seven innings, Burke allowed 1 run on 4 hits and struck out 9.
Burke (6-4, 3.41 ERA) has played an important role in helping the White Sox, who lost 102 games last season, to first place in the AL Central.
Burke, who has 115 strikeouts, has fanned at least eight batters in four of his last five outings. His ERA in those five games is 1.69.
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Burke, who was a third-round draft pick out of the University of Maryland in 2021, was the White Sox 2025 Opening Day starter, but he struggled in his first full MLB season, and the team optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte last August.
He returned to the big-league club in September and finished 4-11 with a 4.22 ERA, 133 strikeouts and 63 walks while giving up 23 home runs.
Already this season, Burke has gone six or more innings nine times. He lasted six-plus innings in eight games last year.
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Ian Seymour
Tampa Bay Rays
Seymour, the former St. John’s High star from Westborough, memorably made his major-league debut in relief against the Red Sox last June 10 at Fenway Park.
The lefty began the 2026 season in the Rays’ bullpen, made a couple of spot starts and joined the rotation earlier this month.
In 33 appearances (six starts), Seymour is 6-2 with a 4.59 ERA and 2 saves. He has struck out 75 and walked 24.
On July 7, Seymour earned the win against the Yankees. He allowed 3 runs on 5 hits and struck out 12, a career high.
Seymour had a rough outing in his last start before the All-Star break, lasting just 3⅓ innings and taking the loss against the Mariners.
You must be registered for see images
Seymour, a second-round draft pick out of Virginia Tech in 2020, made five late-season starts for the Rays last season.
In bulk relief against the Royals on June 25, Seymour did not allow a hit in 6⅔ innings and was part of a combined no-hitter that the Royals broke up in the ninth inning with a home run off Craig Kimbrel.
According to the Rays, Seymour was just the third pitcher since 1980 to throw at least 6-2/3 relief innings without allowing a hit.
The Rays enter the All-Star break atop the AL East standings.
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Matt Shaw
Chicago Cubs
Shaw, the former Worcester Academy standout from Brimfield, has dealt with some injuries during his second MLB season.
Shaw is currently on the IL with a left hand sprain. In May, he was sidelined with back tightness.
Shaw, a first-round pick out of the University of Maryland in 2023, was the Cubs’ starting third baseman his rookie season. After the team signed Alex Bregman in the offseason, Shaw moved into a utility role.
You must be registered for see images
This year, he has played all three outfield positions, first, second and third, and DH. Most of his action has been in right field.
Through 56 games, Shaw is batting .246 with 4 homers and 20 RBIs. He had a .395 on-base percentage in 14 games in June.
The Cubs are in second place in the NL Central, five games behind the Brewers.
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Ryan Ward
Los Angeles Dodgers
After seven years in the Dodgers minor-league system, Ward, of Millbury, made his major-league debut on April 19. He played in two games, started one at first base, collected his first two hits and drove in a run.
Two days later, when Freddie Freeman returned from the paternity list, the Dodgers optioned Ward to Triple-A Oklahoma City, but brought him back to the big-league roster on May 29.
Ward spent a month with the Dodgers and returned to Oklahoma City when veteran slugger Teoscar Hernandez came off the injury list on June 29.
You must be registered for see images attach
In 20 games with LA, Ward batted .218 with 3 home runs and 12 RBIs.
Ward, an All-American at Bryant University, was an eighth-round pick of the Dodgers in 2019.
Ward was the 2025 Pacific Coast League MVP after leading Minor League Baseball with 36 home runs, 122 RBI, 73 extra-base hits and 315 total bases.
–Contact Jennifer Toland at [email protected]. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @JenTolandTG.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: How are 4 Central Mass. baseball stars doing at the MLB All-Star break
Continue reading...
