Former Tourists Story And Tapia Selected To MLB Futures Game; Ocasio Named A Coach To The World Team
ASHEVILLE, NC-- Rosters for the 2015 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, which will be played at 3:00 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, July 12th at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, were announced by Major League Baseball earlier today on MLB Network's "MLB Central" and MLB.com.
Major League Baseball, in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau, MLB.com, Baseball America and the 30 Major League Clubs, selected the 25 players currently on each team. Each Major League organization is represented and players from all full-season Minor Leagues were eligible to participate.
Among the 25 players selected on the U.S. Roster is former Asheville Tourists short-stop Trevor Story. The Irving, Texas native was selected in the first round, 45th overall, in 2011 by the Colorado Rockies. Story spent the 2012 season as Asheville's every-day short-stop. The infielder hit .277 with 18 Home Runs, 63 RBI, and a South Atlantic League best 43 doubles in the 2012 regular season. He was named a South Atlantic League Post-Season All-Star. Story recorded the final out of the season with an assist while at short. His throw across the diamond against the Greensboro Grasshoppers in the SAL Championship series completed Asheville's first SAL Championship run. It was Asheville's first title since 1984.
Included in the 25 players selected on the World Roster is 2014 Tourists outfielder Raimel Tapia. The San Pedro de Macoris, D.R. native batted .326 with nine Home Runs, 72 RBI, and 33 stolen bases with Asheville. His 93 runs scored ranked second in the league. He was named a South Atlantic League Post-Season All-Star. During the Southern division league championship series, Tapia caught the final out in Savannah sending Asheville to the league championship series. The outfielder connected with a Home Run and two doubles to help lead the Tourists over Hagerstown to their second league title in the last three seasons.
Fred Ocasio, the manager for Asheville in both 2013 and 2014, was named a coach to the World Roster. Ocasio helped lead the 2014 Tourists to an 89-49 regular season record, a 5-2 playoff record, and a South Atlantic League championship. Ocasio's record while managing the Tourists is 152-122 spanning two seasons. His success earned him a promotion to the Modesto Nuts, where he is currently managing this 2015 season.
Dodgers' farm-hand Juan Gonzalez was also named to the World Roster. Gonzalez pitched for Asheville as a starter in 2010 and as a reliever in 2011. He spent time in the Rockies minor league system from 2007-2013.
The Tourists return home on Tuesday, June 30 to begin a four-game homestand that will carry through Friday, July 3. For tickets or promotional information stop by the ServPro Box Office at McCormick Field, call (828)258-0428 or visit the Asheville Tourists website at www.theashevilletourists.com.
Please direct any questions or interview requests to Doug Maurer at (828) 258-0428 ext. 203 or dmaurer@theashevilletourists.com.
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