The Pittsburgh Pirates have made a positive impression on the baseball world.

Although the franchise has been perennially powerless, the Buccos’ resurgence will be showcased Tuesday during the MLB All-Star game.

Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez, Jason Grilli and Jeff Locke will represent the Pirates at the midsummer classic — the most players Pittsburgh has sent to the All-Star game since 1981.

Much like the winning, the respect is unfamiliar territory for the Bucs. During Pittsburgh’s record stretch of 20 losing seasons, the Pirates had only one mandatory representative in 14 of those 20 dubious campaigns.

Relief pitcher Mike Williams “earned” the All-Star nod in 2003 despite a 6.27 ERA and more walks than strikeouts in his 33 games with the Pirates before a trade to the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Pirates are clearly evolving, but perhaps more telling than the four All-Stars is the absence of a few more who could make an argument they belong.

A case could certainly be made for the breakout season of Starling Marte, who’s hitting .289 with 12 doubles, eight triples, nine homers and 28 stolen bases.

Francisco Liriano has rejuvenated a once promising career with a 9-3 record, 2.00 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 76 2-3 innings.

Russell Martin is batting just .242, but has 16 doubles, eight homers and his value to the Bucs reaches far beyond the numbers with stellar defense behind the plate while backstopping one of baseball’s most effective pitching staffs.

Mark Melancon surely deserves a look as a shutdown setup reliever. His ERA sits at a sparkling 0.85 and has 44 strikeouts to just four walks.

Instead of searching for someone to fill a slot, Pittsburgh has plenty of worthy candidates.

The Pirates have become impossible to ignore.

McCutchen is making his third straight trip to the All-Star game. The face of the franchise is the first to do so in a Pirates uniform over the past 25 years. His consistent excellence has helped put the Pirates back on the baseball map.

Pedro Alvarez was originally passed up for in the home-run derby, but that wrong was righted when Carlos Gonzalez withdrew due to injury. Although it’s nothing but a meaningless exhibition and Pittsburgh is well aware of the towering bombs Alvarez can produce, the derby presents a chance for the former No. 2 overall pick to show off the freakish power to a nation unaware of his talents.

Locke likely won’t pitch in the All-Star game because he makes his final start of a brilliant first half on Sunday, but simply having his name on the roster after an unexpected rise simply adds to the Pirates’ credentials as a legitimate contender.

Grilli leads the NL in saves and could be called upon in the ninth inning. If home-field advantage in the World Series is secured by a Bucco, the world will take notice.

The All-Star game often solidifies the status of individuals.

This season, it symbolizes just how far the Pirates have come.

Jason Orfao is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.