SAN DIEGO — Jackie Bradley Jr. was with Triple A Pawtucket a year ago at this time. In two stints with the Red Sox that season, he had been 4 for 30 and struck out 10 times.

Agent Scott Boras went to Tampa in late June to see Bradley and offer some encouragement.

“I met with him and told him, ‘Jackie, everybody I talk to who scouts the minor leagues tells me how hard you’re hitting the ball. I want you to know I think you’re a big leaguer.’

“He said, ‘Scott, ‘Of course I know that. I’m raking, man. Once I get there, I’ll be fine. That’s their perception. My perception is the right one. I’m good.’ That says it all about him.’’

Bradley was called back to the majors on July 29 and since the day has hit .287 with a .912 OPS, 23 home runs, and 96 RBIs in 140 games.

For Boras, who has known Bradley since 2011, seeing his development goes beyond their professional ties.

“Through the ups and downs, his psychology has always been rock solid,’’ Boras said. “Jackie’s constitution is something.

“A lot of times you have to train a player to understand that, but he came with it. He was injured before the draft and he told me he would prove himself. He’s always had that confidence.’’

Now that he’s an All-Star, Bradley wants to enjoy the moment. He will have 11 members of his family in San Diego for the game, including his wife, Erin, and their newborn daughter, Emerson.

“Seeing my family’s faces has been the best part. They’ve never been to California before,’’ Bradley said. “Just those small accomplishments make it fun.’’

Bradley will start in left field on Tuesday with his friend and teammate Mookie Betts in right. Angels star Mike Trout will be in center field.

“They’re fun to watch. Everything they’re doing, they’re doing right,’’ Trout said. “They’re having unbelievable years.

“They’re young and there’s a lot of pressure on them but they’re living up to it as well. I knew they had the talent and they’ve put it all together this year.’’

Stanton wins Home Run Derby

Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton won the Home Run Derby, beating defending champion Todd Frazier of the White Sox, 20-13.

Stanton and Frazier participated in the event despite not being selected as All-Stars.

Stanton defeated Baltimore’s Mark Trumbo, 17-14, in the semifinals. In the other semifinal, Frazier topped Cincinnati’s Adam Duvall, 16-15.

It was the third consecutive year that Frazier advanced to the final round.

Robinson Cano, Wil Myers, Carlos Gonzalez, and Corey Seager were eliminated in earlier rounds.

No Red Sox player has been in the Derby since David Ortiz and Adrian Gonzalez participated in 2011. Ortiz won the event in 2010.

Lester: Bring on Papi

Jon Lester, who has a 3.05 earned run average in 61 starts since the Red Sox traded him in 2014, would like to face David Ortiz in the game.

“I think it would be cool, yeah,’’ he said. “It’s always a little weird facing guys you know really well or are good buddies with. But it would be fun. That would definitely make a memory for me.’’

Lester said his only goal would be to keep Ortiz from hitting a home run.

“But if he did, that would be kind of cool, too,’’ Lester said.

Like many others, Lester is not quite convinced Ortiz will retire.

“I don’t know. I find it hard to believe,’’ he said. “I told him that [Sunday] night. This guy’s been in this game a long time. He’s been the face of this game for a long time. That’s a burden not a lot of people can handle. You have to be on your game day in and day out. I’m sure he’s physically and mentally tired and ready to be dad full time. I’m happy for him.

“I think we’ll all find in spring training if he’s actually hanging it up. I’m not 100 percent sold based on his year. But I think he will. David’s really good about meaning what he says.’’

Miller likes what he sees

Yankees reliever Andrew Miller, a first-time All-Star, is happy to be teammates with Bradley and Xander Bogaerts again.

“Jackie, he blew me away as a defender right away,’’ said Miller, who was with the Red Sox from 2011-14. “Everybody believed he was going to hit. I’m happy to see him turn it around the way that he did. It was hard on him for a while, a lot like it was for me.’’

Miller sees Bogaerts as a player who will be one of the best in the game for years to come.

“When he got called up [in 2013] and helped us win the Series, not too many people could have done that,’’ Miller said. “That’s rare. I’m glad for them because they’re good people. I know that’s not something a New York Yankee should say, but I’m enjoying their success.’’

By popular demand

Ortiz’s No. 34 Red Sox jersey is the most popular in baseball based on sales reports. He was last atop the rankings after the 2013 season. Kris Bryant of the Cubs is second, with Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw third. Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is 20th. No Yankees are in the top 20 . . . There were nine changes made to the All-Star rosters because of injuries or pitchers not being available, six in the National League. That made for a total of 79 All-Stars . . . The National League leads the series, 43-41-2. The American League has won three straight. . . . Toronto’s Edwin Encarnacion on the idea of signing with the Red Sox and replacing Ortiz as DH: “I don’t know about that. Right now, I’m with the Blue Jays. I’m enjoying the moment with my team. I’m trying to help my team win a lot of games, make the playoffs, make the World Series, and see what happens next.’’

Kimbrel has knee surgery

One Red Sox All-Star was not here. Craig Kimbrel was instead at Massachusetts General Hospital having his left knee operated on. According to the team, Kimbrel had an arthroscopy and partial medial meniscectomy. In more simple terms, Kimbrel had a piece of the meniscus cartilage removed. He was injured on Friday while fielding fly balls in batting practice . . . Red Sox outfielder Ryan LaMarre, who was designated for assignment on Thursday, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple A Pawtucket.