Six Sea Dogs headed to the Arizona Fall League

Portland, Maine - The rosters for the 26th season of the Arizona Fall League were announced on Tuesday, August 29. Six Sea Dogs are among the players initially invited to participate. Infielders Michael Chavis, Chad De La Guerra, Josh Tobias, along with pitchers Ty Buttrey, Henry Owens and Bobby Poyner will play for the Peoria Javelinas, comprised of prospects from the Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays. 

The Arizona Fall League is run by Major League Baseball and showcases the top talent from all 30 organizations. Alumni of the Arizona Fall League include Dustin Pedroia, Mark Teixeira, Joe Mauer, Derek Jeter, Albert Pujols, Chase Utley, Ryan Braun, Stephen Strasburg and Buster Posey.
 
In addition to Portland's selections, former Sea Dog Brian Johnson joins the Javelinas. Greenville Manager Brian Fenster will serve as the hitching coach. 
 
The Arizona Fall League regular season runs from October 10-November 16, with the Championship Game on November 18th at Scottsdale's Stadium.
 
Buttrey is pitching in his second season with the Sea Dogs, but his first year as a full-time reliever. In 28 games, the righty is 1-4, with a 4.01 ERA with four saves and 52 strikeouts. Buttrey earned the win on Opening Night against the Reading Fightin Phils and appeared in 10 games this year with Triple-A Pawtucket.
 
Chavis began the season with High-A Salem, hitting .318, with 17 HR and 55 RBI in 59 games. Currently ranked the #11 prospect in the Red Sox system, Chavis is hitting .287 with 29 homers and 88 RBI between Portland and Salem. His 29 homers is tied for the sixth most in all of the minor leagues. Chavis had a career-high 4 hits on August 21st at Trenton and season-high 11-game hitting streak from July 22-August 3.
 
De La Guerra hit .294, with 5 HR and 36 RBI in 58 games with High-A Salem before his promotion to Portland on June 22nd. Overall, De La Guerra is hitting .291, 9 HR, 59 RBI between Salem and Portland. Chad's first Hadlock Field homer was July 8th vs. Reading and he had a career-high 4 RBI on August 26th vs. Binghamton. De La Guerra has hit safely in 36 of 48 games with the Sea Dogs.
 
Owens began the season with Triple-A Pawtucket, going 4-5, with a 3.91 ERA in 14 starts. The California native was assigned to Portland on July 4th and has compiled a 3-6 record in 11 starts with the Sea Dogs. He earned his first win on July 9th, working five scoreless innings against the Reading Fightin Phils.
 
Poyner has been one of the most dominant relievers in the Eastern League since his promotion on June 3rd. The lefty is 0-1 with a 0.97 ERA in 26 games with nine saves. Poyner posted a 0.27 ERA in his first 23 games, allowing one earned run over 33.0 innings pitched. Overall, Poyner is scoreless in 23 of 26 outings with Portland, compiling a 2-1 record and a 1.53 ERA in 42 games between Salem and Portland.
 
Tobias was acquired by the Red Sox on December, 22, 2016 for Clay Buchholz. The first-year Sea Dog began the season in High-A Salem and was assigned to Portland on May 1st. Overall, Tobias is hitting .290, with 4 HR and 44 RBI between Salem and the Sea Dogs. Tobias has 24 multi-hit games in 86 starts, with both his AA homers at Hadlock Field. Tobias had a 10-game hitting streak from August 11-24, hitting .417 during the streak.
For information on the Arizona Fall League go to:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/afl/index.jsp