SPRINGDALE --The Northwest Arkansas Naturals had five players selected, along with manager Vance Wilson and his coaching staff, to participate in the Texas League All-Star Game. Teams were announced on Wednesday.
Relievers Sam Selman and Jake Newberry were chosen along with infielders Jack Lopez and Humberto Arteaga and first baseman Samir Duenez. Wilson and his staff were chosen by virtue of the Naturals winning the Texas League North Division last season. The game will be played June 27 at Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas.
Texas League All-Stars
Here are the members of the Texas League All-Stars who will were voted to participate in the All-Star game that will be played on Tuesday, June 27 at Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas:
North Division
Catchers Paul Hoenecke, Tulsa; Tyler Marlette, Arkansas.
Infielders Edwin Rios, Tulsa; Alex Mejia, Springfield; Jack Lopez, Northwest Arkansas; Tim Locastro, Tulsa; Samir Duenez, Northwest Arkansas; Matt Beaty, Tulsa; Humberto Arteaga, Northwest Arkansas; Michael Ahmed, Tulsa.
Outfielders Chuck Taylor, Arkansas; Ian Miller, Arkansas; Oscar Mercado, Springfield; Kyle Garlick, Tulsa.
Pitchers Scott Barlow, Tulsa; Walker Buehler, Tulsa; Corey Coppping, Tulsa; Zac Curtis, Arkansas; Jack Flaherty, Springfield; Tyler Herb, Arkansas; Dakota Hudson, Springfield; Jake Newberry, Northwest Arkansas; Matt Pearce, Springfield; Sam Selman, Northwest Arkansas; Peter Tago, Arkansas.
Manager Vance Wilson, Northwest Arkansas
South Division
Catchers Garrett Stubbs, Corpus Christi; Jose Trevino, Frisco
Infielders J.D. Davis, Corpus Christi; Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Frisco; Jack Mayfield, Corpus Christi; Jose Rondon, San Antonio; Viosergy Rosa, Midland; Max Schrock, Midland; Jon Singleton, Corpus Christi; Luis Urias, San Antonio
Outfielders B.J. Boyd, Midland; Jose Cardona, Frisco; Drew Ferguson, Corpus Christi; Tyler Marincov, Midland
Pitchers Rogelio Armenteros, Corpus Christi; Kyle Finnegan, Midland; Ariel Jurado, Frisco; Michael Kelly, San Antonio; Yohander Mendez, Frisco; Cody Palmquist, Frisco; Kyle Smith, Corpus Christi; Lou Trevino, Midland; Trey Wingenter, San Antonio; Eric Yardley, San Antonio
Manager Joe Mikulik, Frisco
Wilson was pleased to see several of his players honored for their hard work.
"We can't vote for our guys, but when it comes to a mid-season classic, you hope the guys who put in the hard work are rewarded," Wilson said. "We think very highly of them. It's great that their peers and other coaches to validate the work they've put in."
Selman, a left-hander, and Newberry, a right-hander, have formed a potent 1-2 punch at the back of the Naturals bullpen.
Newberry is tied for the Texas League lead with seven saves to go with a 3-2 record and 2.27 ERA, while Selman has five saves to go with 44 strikeouts over 29 1/3 innings. His ERA is 3.38, but he's given up just two earned runs over his last 15 2/3 innings.
Arteaga, a slick-fielding shortstop, has showed marked improvement at the plate this season. He's hitting .300 after managing just .208 in 58 games with the Naturals a year ago. It's a similar story for Lopez, who has played shortstop, third base and second base. He's ninth in the league with a .307 batting average after hitting just a meager .187 in 83 games last season.
Duenez, who turned 21 this week, ranks in the top 10 in the league in home runs and RBIs.
Wilson was especially pleased for Selman, who has struggled with command at times in his third year in Double-A.
"Obviously, he's been through a lot of adversity and I think Sam would tell you, struggling to live up to what we think and he thinks his abilities are," Wilson said. "He had a soul searching winter, made some changes and obviously they really paid off."
"With Samir, he turned 21 just the other day and he's hit in the three- and four-hole for us. It's a testament to his ability."
The Naturals head into the final week of the first half tied for the lead in the Texas League North Division, but will be without third baseman Mauricio Ramos, who was put on the seven-day disabled list Wednesday with a back/hip injury.
Ramos hasn't played since Saturday and was getting an MRI on Wednesday, Wilson said. The time frame for his return is uncertain.
Northwest Arkansas has also been without outfielder Elier Hernandez, who suffered a groin injury during the last road trip. He was hitting .339 with 10 RBIs in 16 games since he was promoted from Class A advanced Wilmington.
Hernandez isn't expected back for three to five weeks, Wilson said.
Sports on 06/15/2017