Updated rosters for the New York-Penn League All-Star Game, August 15 at "The Joe!"
TROY, NY - The New York-Penn League All-Star Game rosters were revealed, and since the original release, ValleyCats pitcher Nathan Thompson was promoted to Quad Cities, so 'Cats RHP Hunter Martin will take his place on the North roster. Staten Island Yankees third baseman Jose Polonia replaces Evan Mendoza of
TROY, NY - The New York-Penn League All-Star Game rosters were revealed, and since the original release, ValleyCats pitcher
The North team, which will be led by the ValleyCats coaching staff, includes four 'Cats players. Pitchers
Johnson, 23, was originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Hampden-Sydney College in 2016. Johnson has operated exclusively as a reliever, and is 5-0 this year, with a 1.69 ERA in 12 appearances this year. In addition, Johnson has held opposing batters to .151 batting average, while striking out 28 batters in 21.1 innings.
Matijevic, 21, was selected in the Competitive Balance B portion of the 2nd round by the Houston Astros out of the University of Arizona. Matijevic has spent all of this season patrolling left field for the ValleyCats, and has hit in the second spot of the batting order for much of the year. Matijevic is hitting .261 with four home runs and 23 RBIs, while leading the team with 10 doubles.
Pineda, 20, was born in Azua, Dominican Republic and signed as an international free agent in 2014. Pineda is hitting .242 with 11 RBI's, while also stealing 13 bases this year. Pineda has also manned center field and right field this season, where he has recoreded two outfield assists this year.
Martin, 23, from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was selected in the 20th round of this year's draft out of the University of Tennessee. He has put together a solid start to the 2017 season with the ValleyCats, posting a 2.63 ERA in 24 innings, with 19 strikeouts, and only 21 hits and seven earned runs allowed.
In addition, this year's All-Star game includes a number of notable players and prospects.
In addition,
The South squad will be coached by the staff of the defending New York-Penn League champion State College Spikes.
The 2017 New York-Penn League All-Star Game will occur on Tuesday, August 15th at 7:00 pm at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in Troy! Festivities will begin on Monday 8/14 at 5:30pm for the All-Star Fan Fest featuring a free concert by Eli Young Band at Riverfront Park in Troy.
Prior to the game on Tuesday, there will be an autograph session with both teams presented by UpgradeToComfort.com, and a home run derby presented by Slidin' Dirty to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
For full details or to purchase tickets, visit tcvalleycats.com/allstargame, call 518-629-CATS (2287), or visit the Joseph L. Bruno Stadium box office.
The ValleyCats would like to thank their All-Star partners, The Desmond, CDPHP, Berkshire Bank, Mohawk Honda, UpgradeToComfort.com, Slidin' Dirty, the Capital Region Chamber, TD Bank, WGNA, Hudson Valley Community College, and Helmbold's Hot Dogs.
The All-Star Game and Fan Fest are supported by a grant from Empire State Development's I LOVE NEW YORK program under the Market NY initiative.
North All-Star Team:
1B:
2B:
SS:
3B:
C:
DH:
OF:
OF:
OF:
P:
P:
P:
P:
P:
South All-Star Team:
1B:
2B:
SS:
3B:
C:
DH:
OF:
OF:
OF:
P:
P:
P:
P:
P: