FIVE NATURALS SELECTED TO TEXAS LEAGUE ALL-STAR GAME
SPRINGDALE, Ark - The Texas League announced the rosters for the 80th annual Texas League All-Star game and five (5) members of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals were selected to represent the North Division in the exhibition game that will be played on Tuesday, June 28 in Springfield, Missouri. The Naturals' representatives include RHP Jake Junis, RHP Alec Mills, and RHP Kevin McCarthy from the pitching staff along with position players INF Mauricio Ramos and INF Frank Schwindel. Ramos has been selected to start at third base in the All-Star game.
Tom Kayser, the Texas League President, announced the players elected to the 80th annual Texas League All-Star game that will be played between the North and South Divisions. Players were selected to the teams through polling each team's managers, hitting coaches, pitching coaches, broadcasters, as well as one media representative. A voter was not allowed to choose players from their own club.
RHP Jake Junis (6-3, 2.49 ERA) has led the Naturals' pitching staff all season long and especially since the start of May. The Texas League Pitcher of the Week from May 23 through May 29 leads the circuit in strikeouts with 70, is tied for second in wins, ranks second in WHIP and in strikeouts per nine innings ratio, fourth in batting average allowed, third in fewest baserunners per nine innings, and ranks seventh in ERA. Since the beginning of May, Junis has a sparkling 5-1 record while striking out 49 and only allowing 5 earned runs in 50 innings of work.
RHP Alec Mills (1-2, 2.39 ERA) has been equally as dominant but doesn't have the record to show for it. Mills is coming off of a season-high 11 strikeout performance against the Arkansas Travelers on Monday, June 13. He ranks second in the league with 68 strikeouts and second in the league with fewest walks per nine innings, third in fewest baserunners per nine innings, fifth in strikeouts per nine innings, and sixth in ERA. On Wednesday, May 18 Mills made his Major League debut with the Kansas City Royals and threw 0.2 innings against the Boston Red Sox.
RHP Kevin McCarthy (3-2, 3.12 ERA, 11 Saves) has solidified the Northwest Arkansas bullpen all season long and has been rewarded by being selected to the All-Star game. McCarthy currently ranks second in the Texas League with 11 saves and ranks third in lowest batting average allowed and in fewest baserunners per nine innings pitched among relievers.
INF Mauricio Ramos has been selected to start at third base in the All-Star game. Ramos is currently hitting .288 with three home runs, and 26 RBI. The .288 batting average is good for seventh best in the Texas League while he ranks sixth in hits with 63 in 60 games played.
INF Frank Schwindel rounds out the Naturals 2016 Texas League All-Star game selections. Selected as an Infield Reserve, Schwindel has provided consistent power and production for Northwest Arkansas as he leads the team in home runs with nine and RBI with 31.
Along with the five (5) representatives from the Naturals, the Texas League North Division roster consists of nine (9) members of the Tulsa Drillers, six (6) members of the Springfield Cardinals, and four (4) members of the Arkansas Travelers. The Springfield Cardinals coaching and training staff, led by Manager Dann Bilardello, will head the North Division roster during the game in Springfield on June 28.
The Texas League South Division will be managed by Ryan Christenson of Midland and his staff from the reigning Texas League Champions. The South roster consists of eight (8) Corpus Christi Hooks, seven (7) Frisco RoughRiders, five (5) Midland RockHounds, and four (4) San Antonio Missions and is highlighted by top prospects INF Alex Bergman of Corpus and INF Franklin Barreto of Midland.
The complete list of 2016 Texas League All-Stars are listed below.
2016 North Division All-Star Team
Starters
|
POS |
PLAYER |
TEAM |
|
C |
Carson Kelly |
SPR |
|
1B |
Eric Aguilera |
ARK |
|
2B |
Willie Calhoun |
TUL |
|
SS |
Drew Maggi |
TUL |
|
3B |
Mauricio Ramos |
NWA |
|
OF |
Harrison Bader |
SPR |
|
OF |
Cal Towey |
ARK |
|
OF |
Alex Verdugo |
TUL |
|
DH |
Luke Voit |
SPR |
Reserves
|
POS |
PLAYER |
TEAM |
|
C |
Kyle Famer |
TUL |
|
INF |
Bruce Caldwell |
SPR |
|
INF |
Paul DeJong |
SPR |
|
INF |
Frank Schwindel |
NWA |
|
OF |
Jacob Scavuzzo |
TUL |
Pitchers
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
|
Jake Junis |
NWA |
|
Alec Mills |
NWA |
|
Kevin McCarthy |
NWA |
|
Mike Mayers |
SPR |
|
Tyler DeLoach |
ARK |
|
Jordan Kipper |
ARK |
|
Chase DeJong |
TUL |
|
Scott Barlow |
TUL |
|
Trevor Oaks |
TUL |
|
Brock Stewart |
TUL |
2016 South Division All-Star Team
Starters
|
POS |
PLAYER |
TEAM |
|
C |
Beau Taylor |
MID |
|
1B |
Ronald Guzman |
FRI |
|
2B |
Franklin Barreto |
MID |
|
SS |
Alex Bregman |
CC |
|
3B |
Matt Chapman |
MID |
|
OF |
Ryan Cordell |
FRI |
|
OF |
Derek Fisher |
CC |
|
OF |
Teoscar Hernandez |
CC |
|
DH |
Nick Torres |
SA |
Reserves
|
POS |
PLAYER |
TEAM |
|
C |
Isiah Kiner-Falefa |
FRI |
|
INF |
J.D. Davis |
CC |
|
INF |
Wade Kirkland |
MID |
|
INF |
Jose Rondon |
SA |
|
OF |
Preston Beck |
FRI |
Pitchers
|
PITCHER |
TEAM |
|
Adam Cimber |
SA |
|
Brian Holmes |
CC |
|
Jason Jester |
SA |
|
Brendon McCury |
CC |
|
Adam Parks |
FRI |
|
David Paulino |
CC |
|
Victor Payano |
FRI |
|
Connor Sadzeck |
FRI |
|
Corey Walter |
MID |
|
Keegan Yuhl |
CC |
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The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark. For more information, including statistics, ticket options, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.
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