Eastern League All-Star Rosters Announced
PORTLAND, MAINE - The Portland Sea Dogs, in conjunction with the Eastern League of Professional Baseball, are proud to announce the rosters for the 2015 Sullivan Tire All-Star Classic, which will take place at Hadlock Field on Wednesday, July 15th, at 7:00 PM.
The Eastern and Western divisions will each be represented by 24 players, who were selected by managers, media members, and fans. The two rosters feature three of Baseball America's top 100 prospects, four former first round picks, and four players that have been selected to participate in the 2015 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in Cincinnati on Sunday, July 12th.
The Eastern squad is headlined by J.P. Crawford, Brandon Nimmo and Gary Sanchez.
Crawford, 20, was the 16th overall pick in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft and is the top prospect in the Phillies' organization and #14 overall in all of baseball according to Baseball America. He was promoted to Reading on May 30th. Nimmo, 22, is the #3 rated prospect in the Mets' system and #45 overall according to Baseball America. Sanchez, 22, will be making his second consecutive Eastern League All-Star appearance. The Trenton catcher is ranked as the #5 prospect in the Yankees' system according to Baseball America and the #69 prospect overall by MLB.com. Crawford, Nimmo, and Sanchez were selected to the Futures Game as well.
The Western All-Stars are headlined by Altoona Curve first baseman Josh Bell, a 2015 Futures Game selection ranked as the #4 prospect in the Pirates' system according to Baseball America and the #29 overall prospect according to MLB.com. Bell ranks among Eastern League leaders in batting average, hits, and triples. He'll be joined by his Altoona teammate Max Moroff, who also ranks in the top five in the league in hits, batting average, on-base percentage, and runs scored.
The Portland Sea Dogs will be well represented at their home ballpark, sending five players to the Eastern squad: Carlos Asuaje (Red Sox #25 prospect), William Cuevas, Marco Hernandez, Robby Scott (second consecutive All-Star selection), and Jantzen Witte. The Trenton Thunder, Akron RubberDucks, Reading Fightin Phils, and Altoona Curve tied the Sea Dogs for most selections with five players each.
Other notable selections for the East include Binghamton's Josh Rodriguez - who currently leads the Eastern League with 13 home runs and ranks among league leaders in RBI, slugging percentage, OPS, and total bases - and Brock Stassi, who ranks in the top ten in the league in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, RBI, total bases, and walks.
The Western pitching staff will be stocked with three of the league's top ten in ERA, Joe Biagini (Richmond), Terry Doyle (Bowie), and Josh Turley (Erie), as well as Bowie closer Mychal Givens, who was recently added to the Orioles' 40-man roster and made his Major League debut on June 24th at Fenway Park against the Red Sox.
Reading starter Zach Eflin leads a strong group of Eastern division starters. Eflin, the #4 prospect in the Phillies' system according to Baseball America, is joined by Eric Ruth (Trenton) and Luis Cessa (Binghamton), who both rank in the top ten in the league in ERA, as well as wins leader Shane Carle of New Britain.
The Eastern bullpen runs deep and features saves leader Austin House (New Britain) and Binghamton closer Paul Sewald, who ranks in the top five in the league in saves and owns the lowest opponents' batting average of any relief pitcher in the Eastern Division.
Sea Dogs' manager and reigning Eastern League Manager of the Year Billy McMillon and his staff will lead the Eastern Division squad while Richmond Flying Squirrels first-year manager Jose Alguacil and his staff will manage the Western Division team, including former Major League saves leader Lee Smith, who will serve as pitching coach for the Western squad.
Limited tickets for the Sullivan Tire All-Star Classic are available and can be purchased by visiting the Sea Dogs' Ticket Office at Hadlock Field, calling 800-936-3647, or online at seadogs.com.
The Hadlock Field gates will open at 3:00 PM on July 15th. Festivities include autograph sessions with the all-stars presented by the Asylum Sports Bar & Grill, the Electricity Maine Home Run Derby, and a post-game fireworks show presented by Coca-Cola.
The All-Star Classic will be televised regionally throughout New England on NESN with Tom Caron and Mike Antonellis on the call, via the web on MiLB.tv, and on radio on 95.5 and 95.9 FM WPEI, as well as online via the TuneIn Radio App.
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between
Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and