photo: Nick Dunn (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
State College Spikes press release
The rosters for the 2018 New York-Penn League All-Star Game presented by the Central PA Convention and Visitors Bureau have been released for both the North and South squads, who will face off on Tuesday, August 14 at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
The host State College Spikes will have three players on the South roster as infielders Nick Dunn, Edwin Figuera and Delvin Perez will all be part of the showcase event. Dunn, the Cardinals’ 2018 fifth-round draft choice, made the squad as a second baseman after producing 25 runs batted in to lead the Spikes as of August 7. Figuera, who was selected as a designated hitter, is batting .286 with seven doubles and 11 RBI, and leads the NYPL with 15 times hit by pitch. Perez, the Cardinals’ 2016 first-round draft choice, will be a shortstop for the South after producing a .327 on-base percentage and six steals over his first 39 games.
In addition, Spikes manager Joe Kruzel will be at the helm of the South for the second straight year at the NYPL All-Star Game. Kruzel will be joined once again by State College’s honorary bench coach, Josiah Viera, who made the final pitching change of last year’s All-Star Game in Troy, N.Y.
The Brooklyn Cyclones and Williamsport Crosscutters lead the South squad with six All-Stars apiece. Brooklyn, the Mets’ affiliate, will send second baseman Carlos Cortes, outfielders Wagner Lagrange and Ross Adolph, and pitchers Yeudy Colon, Billy Oxford and Jaison Vilera to the game. The contingent from Williamsport representing the Phillies’ affiliate includes catcher Rafael Marchan, first baseman Edwin Rodriguez, outfielder Ben Aklinski and pitchers Randy Alcantara, Rafael Carvajal and Keylan Killgore
In addition, Crosscutters manager Pat Borders and coaches Christian Marrero and Kevin Martrir will serve on the South coaching staff alongside the Spikes’ Kruzel and Viera.
Five Aberdeen IronBirds also made the South All-Stars. Catcher Cody Roberts, first baseman J.C. Escarra, third baseman Willy Yahn, outfielder Robbie Thorburn and pitcher Matthew Hammonds will represent the Orioles’ affiliate. The Mahoning Valley Scrappers will send five players to the contest as well, with NYPL batting leader Tyler Freeman named as a shortstop, July NYPL Player of the Month Hosea Nelson making the squad as an outfielder, and designated hitter Mitch Reeves joining pitchers Luis Santos and Randy Valladares in getting All-Star nods. West Virginia is represented by three players to round out the South All-Stars – third baseman Mike Gretler, 2018 first-round draft choice and outfielder Travis Swaggerty, and pitcher Cam Alldred
The North squad will be spearheaded by six players from the Auburn Doubledays, affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Catcher Israel Pineda will join second baseman Kyle Marinconz, outfielder Jacob Rhinesmith, designated hitter Pablo O’Connor and pitchers Angel Guillen and David Smith as Auburn All-Stars.
The Hudson Valley Renegades, affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, will have five players in the game. Catcher Chris Betts, first baseman Jacson McGowan, shortstop Tyler Frank, designated hitter Erik Ostberg and pitcher Jack Labosky each earned All-Star selection. Vermont, Lowell and Connecticut will each send four players to the game, with three each coming from Batavia and Tri-City.
Batavia manager Mike Jacobs, a seven-year veteran of the major leagues, will be the skipper for the North squad in the game. Former Spikes pitcher and current Muckdogs pitching coach Jason Erickson will join Batavia coaches Jesus Merchan and Ronnie Richardson on the staff for the North All-Stars.
The 2018 New York-Penn League All Star Game presented by the Central PA Convention & Visitors Bureau is scheduled for a maximum of nine innings, with pitchers limited to 25 pitches per inning and one inning of work.
The All-Star festivities begin with the NYPL All-Star Tailgate Gala presented by Reinhart Foodservice on Monday, August 13, and then ballpark gates open for the NYPL All-Star Game at 3 p.m. on the 14th, with the chance to get autographs from the All-Stars and watch batting practice.
An array of stars led by team captains Ki-Jana Carter and Josiah Viera, plus gridiron greats Blair Thomas and Wally Richardson as well as a cavalcade of legends and celebrities will hit the field for the Celebrity Softball Game at 5 p.m. on Tuesday night.
The All-Star Game will then get underway at 7:05 p.m., with the showcase event followed by a fantastic FIREWORKS show presented by the Central PA Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Brian Walton’s take
Congratulations to the players selected. It is interesting that all three Spikes are middle infielders, though as noted above, Figuera is listed as a designated hitter.
Spikes starting pitcher Jake Dahlberg would have been a deserving choice as well, but the left-hander was promoted to Peoria last week.
Last year, State College had six All-Stars – starting pitchers Andrew Summerville and Daniel Castano, infielders Yariel Gonzalez and Evan Mendoza (promoted – did not play), outfielder Scott Hurst and catcher Joshua Lopez.
How are they doing today, you ask?
Well, it is a mixed bag.
Summerville was moved to relief and is currently on Peoria’s disabled list. Castano was part of the Marcell Ozuna trade with Miami. Gonzalez is one of the leaders of the Peoria offense while Mendoza has progressed all the way to Double-A Springfield. Hurst came off Peoria’s disabled list last week and was promoted to Palm Beach. However, Lopez was released at the conclusion of 2018 extended spring training.
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