MLB All-Star Game 2023: Meet the Exceptional Athletic Trainers Assisting the Baseball Stars in Seattle
The MLB All-Star Game is not just a showcase of the most talented players in Major League Baseball but also a celebration of the tireless efforts of the support staff behind the scenes. Among these unsung heroes are the athletic trainers who work diligently to keep the players healthy. In 2023, the All-Star Game heads to the beautiful city of Seattle, where a remarkable team of athletic trainers will be ready to provide their expertise and care. Let’s take a closer look at the exceptional athletic trainers for the 2023 MLB All-Star Game: Kyle Torgerson and Mike Frostad from the American League, and Anthony Reyes and Tomas Vera from the National League.
Kyle Torgerson, 36, enters his fourth season as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Mariners after spending 7 years with the Arizona Diamondbacks, most recently as an Assistant Athletic Trainer. During his time with Arizona, he was also their Minor League Medical Coordinator (2016-18) and Manual Performance coordinator (2013-15). He spent 2012 as a trainer for the Royals’ Rookie-Advanced Idaho Falls. He graduated in 2012 from Weber State University with a master’s degree in athletic training in 2009 from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in physiology. He is a certified member of the NATA and the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA). He currently resides in Edmonds, WA, and enjoys participating in all competitive sports, including golf, softball, basketball, and running.
You can listen to Kyle on the Inside Athletic Training podcast here.
Mike Frostad, 50, enters his second season with the Los Angeles Angels as the Director of Sports Medicine and Head Athletic Trainer after spending the previous four seasons as the assistant athletic trainer with the Atlanta Braves. This is Mike’s 12th Major League season, and 28th season overall in professional baseball. He spent 22 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, 6 of them as the Major League assistant athletic trainer. A Calgary native, Mike earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Calgary and a Master of Health Science from the University of St. Augustine. He is certified by the NATA in the U.S. and the CATA in Canada. He started his baseball career in 1996 with the St. Catharines Stompers (Short A) and made stops along the way in Medicine Hat Alberta, Hagerstown Maryland, and Dunedin Florida. Mike was named to the position of Minor League Medical Coordinator in 2005, a position he held until the 2010 season when he was appointed to Toronto as the Assistant Athletic Trainer. In 2004 and 2005 he won the Athletic Trainer of the Year Award for the Florida State League. In 2005 he was also the recipient of the Minor League Athletic Trainer of the Year Award. Mike was a member of the 2021 MLB Athletic Training Staff of the Year in Atlanta that also won the World Series. During the off-season, Mike resides in Redcliff, Alberta with his wife, Candice.
You can listen to Mike on the Inside Athletic Training podcast here.
Anthony Reyes begins his 6th season as head athletic trainer for the Giants, 12th season overall with the major league club. He served six seasons as Assistant Athletic Trainer. Reyes previously spent four seasons as the athletic trainer for the triple-A Fresno Grizzlies (2008-2011). He also spent two seasons (2006-07) with double-A Connecticut and worked with the Arizona Rookie team in 2005 after completing an internship for the Major League club in 2004. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from San Jose State University in 2004. Reyes is certified by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and also holds a certification with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Anthony and his wife Fay, along with their daughters Amelia and Audrey, reside in Martinez, Calif.
You can listen to Anthony on the Inside Athletic Training podcast here.
Tomas Vera, 55, enters in his 13th season with the Cincinnati Reds as Assistant Athletic Trainer, his 33rdin professional baseball. He joined the Reds organization in September of 2006 as a Reds Minor League Athletic Trainer (Louisville Bats AAA 2009-10, Sarasota Reds 2007-08). Prior to the Reds he worked 12 years with the Chicago White Sox organization (Kannapolis Intimidators 2004-06, Great Falls Sox 2003, Bristol Sox 2002, Phoenix 2001, Tucson 1998-2000, and Sarasota 1995-97). Prior to the White Sox, Tomas worked for the Milwaukee Brewers in Spring Training/Extended Spring in 1994. He began his baseball career in Venezuela Summer League with the Azucareros de la Victoria in 1990, serving as an Athletic Trainer in the Venezuela Winter League with Aragua, Caracas, Cabimas and Pastora teams (1990-96, 2009, 2012), He also spent time in the Dominican Winter League with the Licey Tigers (1999-2002). Vera has been named Head Athletic Trainer for the 2006, 2009, 2013,2017& 2023 World Baseball Classic Venezuelan National Team. He received his degree in Physical Education from UPEL – Venezuela; Vera is recognized as the first Venezuelan Certified members of the NATA. Tomas is the son of Leandro Vera Fortique and Hilda Oviedo de Vera. Born in Caracas Venezuela, Tomas and his wife Mariela have two children, Rafael and Carolina. They reside in Sarasota, Fla.
You can listen to Tomas on the Inside Athletic Training podcast here.
Behind every successful baseball game, there is an army of talented athletic trainers working tirelessly to keep the players in prime condition. Kyle Torgerson, Mike Frostad, Anthony Reyes, and Tomas Vera are just a few of the exceptional across the league who will be assisting the MLB All-Stars in Seattle for the 2023 All-Star Game. Their unwavering dedication, vast knowledge, and ability to adapt to the unique needs of each player will undoubtedly contribute to the success of the game and ensure that the players are at their best. As the baseball world comes together to celebrate the sport’s top talents, let us not forget the invaluable contributions of these remarkable athletic trainers.