Keller, Mountcastle headline IL All-Stars
The Pacific Coast League All-Stars were announced Wednesday. Now, we know their opponents.Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller (No. 17 overall) and Orioles infielder Ryan Mountcastle (No. 55) lead this year's International League team set to face the PCL in the Triple-A All-Star Game at El Paso's Southwest University Park on July
The Pacific Coast League All-Stars were announced Wednesday. Now, we know their opponents.
Pirates right-hander
View the complete International League All-Star Roster »
Keller, Pittsburgh's top prospect, has been nothing short of dominant in his stint with Indianapolis this season. Through 12 starts on the circuit, he leads the league with a 2.89 ERA and ranks third with a 1.26 WHIP. He also has 80 strikeouts in 65 1/3 frames, tied for fifth-most in the IL this season. Keller has earned a few promotions to the Majors for his efforts, making three starts for the Pirates. He most recently pitched for the Indians on Monday, giving up just one earned run on six hits while fanning six over a season-best 7 1/3 innings.
Mountcastle, the second-ranked Baltimore prospect, anchors the IL's infield options. In his first season with Norfolk, he's shined at the plate with a .311/.332/.503 slash line, 13 long balls and 28 total extra-base hits over 69 games. His .836 OPS represents a career-best mark at any level since the O's took him in the firist round of the 2015 Draft. The 22-year-old has primarily played first base this season after taking turns at shortstop and third base in his career, but he also moved to left field for the first time in his career Tuesday, meaning he could give the IL an option on the grass as well.
No. 6 Orioles prospect
The league's leading hitter, Durham infielder
In the outfield, seventh-ranked Twins prospect
The game against the PCL will stream live on MiLB.TV starting at 9:05 p.m. ET.
Andrew Battifarano is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter, @AndrewAtBatt.