Bisons' Pillar, Korecky named All-Stars
The International League today named Buffalo Bisons OF KEVIN PILLAR and RHP BOBBY KORECKY postseason All-Stars for 2014.
It's the first season since 2004 the Bisons have had two players on the 12-player list announced annual by the International League. That season, INF Jhonny Peralta and DH Ernie Young were given the honor. Korecky is the first Bisons pitcher to be named a postseason All-Star since Brian Anderson was given the honor in the American Association in 1996.
PILLAR has only played 100 of the Bisons' 135 contests, but still ranks in the Top 5 of many of the league's offensive categories. He ranks 1st in the IL in doubles (39), 3rd in batting average (.323) and extra-base hits (52) and 5th in slugging pct. (.509) and stolen bases (27). He owns the longest hit streak in the IL this season, hitting in 21 straight games July 25 - August 14 (.384, 33-86). He also had an 18-game hit streak, April 17-May 6, and was twice named IL Batter-of-the Week (May 4 and August 3).
Pillar also tops all Bisons players in his (131), multi-hit performances (35) and RBI (59). His 39 doubles are the 2nd most in a single season in the Bisons modern era behind only Peralta's 44 doubles in 2004. He has a pair of four-hit games this season (April 28 vs. Louisville and July 9 in Rochester) and stole three bases on two separate occasions (June 27 vs. Columbus and July 27 vs. Lehigh Valley). Pillar has been promoted twice this season to Toronto and has hit .226 (9-40) with three doubles, two RBI and six runs scored in 26 big league games.
KORECKY has been the league's top reliever all season, posting a 2.07 ERA as well as a 5-3 record in 52 appearances (2nd in IL). His 20 saves are tied for the league's top mark and have come in only 22 opportunities (91%). He leads the league in games finished (38) and has allowed the 3rd fewest baserunners per nine innings (9.44) among all IL relievers.
Korecky began his season with 17 consecutive scoreless appearances (26.0 IP), not allowing a run until May 17. He earned two saves on the same day, closing out Buffalo wins of 5-3 and 7-4 in a doubleheader at Columbus on June 19. He was also a mid-season International League All-Star and pitched 0.2 innings in the Triple-A All-Star Game in Durham in July. Korecky has also received two promotions to Toronto, allowing three runs over 3.1 innings in two games (4 H, BB, 2 SO).