Dulin Named Appalachian League All-Star Designated Hitter
Few storylines dominated the 2015 Burlington Royals season more than the hot start of Brandon Dulin. The second-year Burlington Royal batted an impressive .500 (14-for-28) in the first seven games of the season, collecting six doubles, three home runs and nine RBI in the stretch. Those efforts were enough to catch the eyes of Appalachian League executives, who have named Dulin a 2015 Appalachian League All-Star. Though he has primarily played first base this season, Dulin was named to the team as a designated hitter, a position he appeared at numerous times.
The Lee's Summit, Mo. resident went 0-for-4 on Opening Night at Princeton on June 23, but reeled off an incredible streak to follow. Dulin reached base safely in 20 consecutive games, collecting hits in 16 of those contests. He had an impressive six straight multi-hit games from June 24 (at Princeton) to June 29 (vs. Bluefield). On June 24, Dulin was 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI, and added another double and an RBI in a 2-for-4 game on June 25. Once again on June 26 at the Johnson City Cardinals, Dulin was 2-for-4 with two doubles. In a June 27, Dulin collected a double and also had his first home run of the season. The homer touched off an incredible long ball streak. Dulin homered again on June 28 as part of a 3-for-4 performance, and did the exact same thing on June 29 in the home opener against the Bluefield Blue Jays.
He went homerless on June 30 against Bluefield, but hit another blast on July 1 against the Blue Jays and again on July 2 against the Kingsport Mets. The on-base streak continued until July 17, when he went 0-for-3 against the Pulaski Yankees.
Dulin reeled off another five-game hit streak from July 24 to July 29. He was 3-for-6 with a double, a home run and three RBI in an exciting 9-7, 11-inning win over the Greeneville Astros on July 24. Dulin homered again in the series finale, his eighth of the season, to tie the Burlington Royals record for career home runs with 15. On July 29 against the Danville Braves, Dulin hit a solo home run, passing Murray Watts (2011) for the Burlington record.
Dulin's most recent home run came on August 4 in a 3-2 win over the Pulaski Yankees. Just hours after winning the award last night, Dulin went 3-for-5 with two RBI in a 9-1 romp over the Princeton Rays.
He is now hitting .281 on the season with 14 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs and 29 RBI. 2015 is Dulin's second season with Burlington. In 2014, he tied for the team lead in homers with seven. He hit .201 with five doubles, a triple, and 25 RBI as well. Dulin began his career in 2013 with the AZL Royals, batting .269 with 11 doubles, six triples, a home run and 22 RBI. The 22-year old Dulin was picked in the 12th round of the 2013 draft from Longview Community College.
Burlington is back home on Wednesday, August 26 to face the Danville Braves at 7:00 p.m. It will be Alzheimer's Awareness Night. Wear your purple and receive a discounted ticket! $2 for every ticket sold will go to the Alzheimer's Association. Call (336) 222-0223 or visit www.burlingtonroyals.com for tickets.