1. He was drafted as a hitter

Though Doolittle starred on the mound in high school and pitched in college at the University of Virginia, the A’s drafted him for his hitting in the first round of the 2007 draft. Doolittle hit 22 homers across three minor league levels in 2008, but fell victim to a series of injuries that cost him nearly three full seasons and prompted his return to the mound. After only 25 innings pitched in the minors, Doolittle debuted in the A’s bullpen in 2012.

“I was about at the end of my rope as a hitter,” Doolittle said. “I really just didn’t want to look back at my career and have any regrets. Never in a million years did I think the transition would go as smooth as it did, or as quick.

“Just two and a half years after doing it, to be sitting here in Minnesota at the All-Star Game — it’s surreal.”

2. He has an awesome beard

In addition to their on-field excellence, the Oakland A’s maintain sartorial dominance over the Majors. Doolittle’s beard is an important piece of that puzzle.

3. He never walks anybody

This is crazy: Doolittle has struck out 63 batters and walked only two in 43 2/3 innings in 2014. If the season ended today, he’d be the only pitcher in Major League history to throw more than 25 innings with a strikeout-to-walk rate nearly that good.

“I always try to be in attack mode, and go out there and get strike one,” Doolittle said.

4. He’s good on Twitter

"Tonight were gonna party like it's homerun derby time" - Prince, right now, on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, probably — Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) July 15, 2014

Tons of Major Leaguers are on Twitter, but few match Doolittle in frequency or wit. And he’s not above a good pun now and then.