Pioneer Baseball League Announces 2019 All-Star Team
SPOKANE, WASH. - Jim McCurdy, President of the Pioneer Baseball League, has released the Pioneer League's roster for the 5th Pioneer Baseball League vs. Northwest League All-Star Game powered by Toyota. The event, which will be held on August 6, 2019, will be played at Memorial Stadium in Boise, Idaho.
SPOKANE, WASH. - Jim McCurdy, President of the Pioneer Baseball League, has released the Pioneer League's roster for the 5th Pioneer Baseball League vs. Northwest League All-Star Game powered by Toyota. The event, which will be held on August 6, 2019, will be played at Memorial Stadium in Boise, Idaho. - the home of the Boise Hawks of the Northwest League.
Each of the eight PBL teams is represented on the 28-man roster, which features eight players formally drafted in the top 10 rounds of the MLB Amateur Draft. The roster also features 10 International Free Agents. In all, the roster has some of the top prospects in the eight MLB organizations that are affiliated with the Pioneer League. They include Milwaukee, Colorado, Arizona, LA Dodgers, LA Angels, Kansas City, Cincinnati, and the Chicago White Sox.
In addition to the roster announcement, the Pioneer Baseball League also announced the starters for the game. The PBL Starting Lineup will be:
OF - Colin Simpson, Grand Junction
Tristan Carranza, Missoula
1B -
2B - Clay Dungan, Idaho Falls
SS -
3B - Christian Koss, Grand Junction
C -
DH -
P -
Pioneer Baseball League All-Star Manager Tim Esmay (Great Falls), and Northwest League All-Star skipper Steve Soliz (Boise), will determine the batting order for the respective teams.
"We are excited to announce this quality PBL All-Star roster of players to compete in the 5th Annual All-Star Game against the Northwest League," said Jim McCurdy, Pioneer Baseball League President. "I congratulate all of our players for their selection. We had a great pool of players from which to choose our roster and these have been the best of the best this season. I am sure they will represent the Pioneer Baseball League well and provide an entertaining product for the fans next week in Boise."
After claiming the 2018 Pioneer League Championship, the Great Falls Voyagers coaching staff, led by manager Tim Esmay, will guide the PBL All-Stars. Esmay is in his third season as the manager of the Voyagers. He will be joined by his coaches
2019 Pioneer Baseball League All-Stars
Pitchers
Signed as a free agent in 2017 ... Compiled a 1-1 record with a 3.48 ERA through 10.1 innings with two walks and 10 strikeouts for DSL Colorado in 2018 ... Went 2-1 with a 2.85 ERA through 41 innings with nine walks and 39 strikeouts with the DSL Rockies in 2017.
After spending most of the year in the Arizona League, Liu Fuenmayor arrived in Missoula for the end of the 2018 season. Returning to the Pioneer League this year, the Venezuelan-native continues to climb the strikeouts leaderboard in a much-improved 2019, with nearly half the innings of work. Entering his third year in the minors, Fuenmayor owns a career WHIP of 1.16, holding batters to a .183 average.
Lindell was selected in the 9th round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft by the Brewers out of West Linn HS in Oregon. He last appeared with the Brewers in 2017 with Helena, throwing 54.1 innings with a 3-3 record and a 7.45 ERA. Karsen pitched on June 1st, 2019 for the Seattle Studs in the West Coast Summer League before resigning with Brewers.
Kevin Malisheski | Ogden | RHP | 6'3 | 200 | 9/7/97 (21) | Barrington, IL
Drafted by the Dodgers in the 38th round in 2016 out of Wauconda HS in Wauconda (pronounced just like the fictional country of "Black Panther" fame), Illinois - 40 minutes northwest of Chicago; Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week for July 15-21; was a QB in high school and dreamed of playing in the NFL, but tore ACL and meniscus in football playoff game as a senior; recovered in under six months and pitched twice during baseball season; was committed to play baseball at Southern Illinois University, but Dodgers were one of the few teams who still followed him after the injury and signed him for a $265,000 bonus to forgo college ball; 0-1, 3.86 in 7 games with AZL Dodgers in 2016; 2-1, 3.82 in 10 games (4 GS) with AZL Dodgers in 2017.
Drafted by the Minnesota Twins of the 2016 MLB June Amateur Draft, released by Twins after spending 2017 with Cedar Rapids Kernels (A-full). Signed by Cincinnati Reds for 2018 season, released at the end of the year with Dayton Dragons (A-full). Pitched for Frontier League's Evansville Otters to start 2019, before signing with Diamondbacks. One of league's strikeout leaders in first half, 52 as of July 30.
Drafted by Minnesota Twins in 36th Round of 2017 Draft, returned to college to pitch for Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Drafted by Arizona Diamondbacks in 27th Round of the 2019 Draft. Went to high school at Southwest Covenant High School, where they didn't have a baseball program until his 7th grade year. Breakout 9-3 sophomore season for Golden Eagles in 2016, pitched 91 innings in 16 games, striking out 75 batters. McMinn holds batters to a .193 average in 2019, boasting a 1.08 WHIP.
Miguel is now in his fourth season of professional baseball and his second season in the Reds organization. After being signed as an international free agent by the Texas Rangers in 2016, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for international bonus pool considerations in February of 2018. As of his eighth start of the year, Medrano led the Pioneer League in opponent batting average (.186), WHIP (0.96) and was second in ERA (3.06) among qualified pitchers.
Drafted by the Dodgers in the 37th round in 2017 out of Tulane University; was put on 60-day DL immediately upon signing (had Tommy John elbow surgery); 2019 with Ogden represents professional debut; 6-5, 5.06 in 14 starts as a senior at Tulane; 4-1, 2.01 in 52.2 innings as a junior.
21-year-old in third professional season. International free agent signed by the White Sox in 2016 out of Yaguate, Dominican Republic. Spent 2018 season in the AZL. Debuted in the DSL in 2017. In '18, went 0-1 with a 12.79 ERA in 4 relief appearances. 6 K 1 BB in 6.1 IP. 10 R 9 ER on 8 H 2 HR. Opponents batted .296. In the DSL in '17, went 4-3 with a 3.76 ERA in 14 appearances (all starts). 46 K 18 BB in 67 IP. 29 R 28 ER on 64 H 3 HR. Opponents hit .257, 1.22 WHIP.
Jake Stevenson | Billings | RHP | 6'4 | 225 | 3/24/97 (22) | Waconia, MN
After his senior season at the University of Minnesota, Jake was selected in the 10th round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds. A two-time All-Academic Big Ten honoree, Stevenson was the Minnesota Player of the Year at the AAA classification and a finalist for the Mr. Baseball award out of high school. In his first 10 relief appearances of professional baseball, Stevenson has held opponents to a .171 batting average while striking out 16 in 11 2/3 innings. He leads the Billings Mustangs with three saves in four opportunities.
Wang, Chih-Ting | Idaho Falls | LHP | 6'1 | 230 | 1/24/99 (20) | Taichung, Taiwan
Weems, Avery | Great Falls | LHP | 6'2 | 205 | 6/6/97 (22) | Flagstaff, AZ
22-year-old in his first professional season. Drafted by the White Sox in the 6th round in '19 out of the University of Arizona. Hails from Flagstaff, AZ. Attended Coconino High School. Promoted to Great Falls in early July from the AZL. Went 1-1 with a 0.69 ER in four starts. In 13 IP, struck out 14 with 3 BB. 4 R 1 ER on 10 H 2 HBP. Opponents hit .217. Pitched final two years at U of A after two seasons of juco ball at Yavapai (AZ). Led Arizona in appearances his senior season with 27 (8 starts). Went 4-5 with two saves, a 7.15 ERA, 49 ER 47 K in 61.2 IP. Had a CG vs. Sam Houston State on 5/13 (8 K, 0 BB, 3 R). As a junior, made nine starts and 26 appearances. 2-3 record with one save and a 5.69 ERA. 39 K 21 BB in 55.1 IP. Primarily a starter in junior college. Struck out more than 200 batters in his high school career.
Catchers
Michael Emodi | Idaho Falls | R/R | 6'4 | 225 | 4/18/96 (23) | Omaha, NE
Michael Emodi is in his second season of professional baseball after being selected in the 11th Round of the 2018 MLB First Year Player Draft by the Kansas City Royals. A native of Omaha, NE, Emodi played collegiately at Creighton University, where he was 2nd Team All Big East in 2017. Emodi split his professional time in 2018 between the AZL Royals (four games) and the Burlington Royals (27 games). For the week of July 22nd, Emodi was named the Pioneer League Player of the Week. Emodi was also a high school lineback.
Eric Yang | Billings | R/R | 5'11 | 185 | 3/26/98 (21) | Woodland Hills, CA
As a junior out of UC Santa Barbara, Eric was selected in the 7th round of the 2019 MLB Draft with the 204th overall pick by the Cincinnati Reds. After hitting .368 over 56 games in his final season with the Gauchos, Eric was a finalist for the Buster Posey award, given each year to the nation's top collegiate catcher, and was named Big West Conference Field Player of the Year. Yang currently leads the Billings Mustangs in batting average, on-base and slugging percentage.
First Basemen
Harvin Mendoza | Great Falls | L/L | 6'2 | 185 | 2/18/99 (20) | Caracas, VZ
20-year-old in his fourth professional season. Signed as an international free-agent in 2015. Hails from Caracas, Venezuela. Spent last season in the AZL after two seasons in the Dominican Summer League. In '18 for the AZL White Sox, played in 39 G and hit .314 with 0 HR 23 RBI in 137 AB. 43 H 9 doubles 2 triples, 56 TB 18 RS. 12 K 12 BB. 3 SB 2 CS. .381 OBP, .409 SLG. In DSL in '17, hit .283 with 1 HR 38 RBI in 63 G (233 AB). Hit .279 in DSL in '16, with 1 HR, 23 RBI in 62 G with 208 AB. Made the all-star team as a pitcher on Venezuela's 12U Pan American Championship team in 2011. In 2014, played outfield on the country's 15U World Cup team in Mexico.
Second Basemen
Signed as a free agent in 2017 ... Batted .311 with seven doubles and 10 RBI for the DSL Rockies in 2017 ... Batted .309 with 13 doubles and 24 RBI for DSL Colorado in 2018.
Clay Dungan | Idaho Falls | L/R | 6'1 | 190 | 7/2/96 (23) | Muncie, IN
Clay Dungan is in his first season of professional baseball after being selected in the 9th Round of the 2019 MLB First Year Player Draft by the Kansas City Royals. A native of Yorkville, IN, Dungan played collegiately for four seasons at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN. In 2019 Dungan led the Sycamores in batting average (.305), home runs (9), and stolen bases (7) while finishing second in RBI (38). Dungan majored in physical education at Indiana State.
Drafted by the Dodgers in the 19th round in 2018 out of Meridian CC in Mississippi; native of Mendenhall, MS; batted .399 with 5 HR and 28 SB in 49 games with Meridian in 2018; attended Simpson Academy in Mendehall.
Shortstops
Jeremiah Jackson | Orem | R/R | 6'0 | 165 | 3/26/00 (19) | Mobile, AL
Jackson was the Angels 2nd round pick in 2018 and returns to Orem after finishing his first professional season with the Owlz. Jackson hit .254 in a total of 43 games with the AZL Angels and the Orem Owlz. The Mobile, Alabama, native was committed to play at Mississippi State before signing with the Angels.
Liover Peguero | Missoula | R/R | 6'1 | 160 | 12/31/00 (18) | Higuey, DR
Acquired as an international free agent in 2017 when he was 16 years old…Following a summer in the Dominican Summer and Arizona League, Peguero has been a regular league-leader in the batting average category, with 86 hits in 75 games. Ranked 16th on MLB Pipeline's midseason re-ranking of Diamondbacks prospects list, 4th best in his position category…. Grabbed attention with bat contact and defensive play.
Third Basemen
Christian Koss | Grand Junction | R/R | 6'1 | 182 | 1/27/98 (21) | Riverside, CA
Drafted in the 12th Round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of the University Of California Irvine ... Batted .307 with 12 doubles, five home runs, and 30 RBI as a junior in 2019 ... On May 25th, he went 6-6 scoring six runs in UC Irvine's game against UC Riverside ... Was named a Pioneer League Player Of The Week for the week of July 8-14 where in six games he hit .550 with three doubles, two home runs, and eight RBI.
Brandon Lewis | Ogden | L/R | 6'3 | 215 | 10/23/98 | Granada Hills, CA
Drafted by the Dodgers in 4th round in 2019 out of UC Irvine; born in Northridge, CA, and resides in Porter Ranch, CA; Spent two years at Pierce College in L.A., where he led his conference with 17 HR in 2018; 1st-tm all-Big West in 2019 with UC Irvine in his only year with the Anteaters, where he tied the program single-season record for HR; according to Baseball America, weighed 285 pounds in high school and didn't receive much college or pro interest, but dropped 70 pounds in two years of JUCO ball to get in shape and earn scholarship to UC Irvine; MVP of the California Collegiate Summer League in 2018 and draws comparisons to
Outfielders
Bello was the 73rd overall selection in the Competitive Balance Round B by the Brewers in the 2018 First-Year Player Draft. He spent 2018 with the AZL Brewers playing in 39 games and hitting .240 with 8 extra-base hits and collecting 15 RBIs. He is rated as the Brewers' No. 21 prospect in the organization according to MLB.com. Bello also played football in high school at Hilo High School.
Tristian Carranza | Missoula | R/R | 5'10 | 200 | 10/8/96 (22) | El Centro, CA
Signed as undrafted free agent, after playing for New Mexico State Lobos in 2019… Native of El Centro, California… Dad, Pedro, a former Colorado Rockie. Named to the Rawlings third-team All-American, following his senior season with Lobos. Batted .371 in his final year, second on team with 18 home runs.
Knowles returns to the Owlz after hitting .321 in 28 games last season. The outfielder split time between the AZL Angels and the Owlz in his first professional season. Knowles was signed by the Angels as an international free agent in 2017 out of the Bahamas.
John Littell | Ogden | R/R | 6'3 | 218 | 8/16/95 (23) | Stillwater, OK
Drafted by the Dodgers in the 37th round in 2018 out of Oklahoma State; native of Stillwater, OK; previously drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 39th round in 2014; father, Jim, is head women's basketball coach at Oklahoma State; earned high school All-American honors from Perfect Game and Baseball America in 2014; considered best prep prospect in OK by BA in 2014, and was #251 overall in BA Top 500 going into the draft that year; also came in at #29 among high school prospects according to Perfect Game that year; All Big-12 2nd team pick in 2018.
Andy Pages | Ogden | R/R | 6'1 | 180 | 12/8/00 (18) | Dominican Republic
Signed by Dodgers in 2017 as an international free agent; native of Havana, Cuba; Pioneer League Player of the Week for June 24-30 and July 1-7.
Colin Simpson | Grand Junction | L/R | 5'9 | 228 | 7/23/96 (23) | Edmond, OK
Drafted in the 29th Round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Oklahoma State University ... Batted .245 with 13 doubles and 17 home runs with 57 RBI as a senior in 2019 ... Was on the Johnny Bench Award Watch List as a junior in 2018 ... Was named a Pioneer League Player of the Week for the week of July 15-21 where he hit .381 with a double, two triples, two home runs, and 10 RBI.