Seven Lookouts Named to 2015 Southern League North Division All-Star Team
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Today, the Southern League announced the 2015 Southern League North Division All-Star Team. The initial roster features seven Chattanooga Lookouts players including starting pitcher DJ Baxendale, starting pitcher Jose Berrios, relief pitcher Zach Jones, outfielder Byron Buxton, infielder Jorge Polanco, infielder Miguel Sano and outfielder Adam Brett Walker II.
For the second time in his career, Baxendale has been named a Mid-Season All-Star (2013 with Fort Myers). Before being placed on the Disabled List, the righty was 3-1 with a 3.47 ERA and 42 strikeouts. He began the year by tossing 18.2 straight scoreless innings and finished April with a record of 2-0 and a 1.53 ERA.
In 11 starts Berrios has already established himself as the team's ace, compiling a record of 6-3 with a 3.25 ERA and a league leading 77 strikeouts. On May 13, the right-hander threw a complete game shutout against the Birmingham Barons. That performance led to the Southern League naming him their Pitcher of the Week for May 11 -May 17.
Helping Berrios reach six wins this season was Jones who appeared in three of his victories. So far in 2015 the righty reliever has a record of 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA. The 2013 FSL All-Star is currently tied for third in the league in saves with eight and has finished 17 games for the team this year.
Headlining the Lookouts' All-Star hitters is Buxton. The top-prospect in all of baseball, earned the Southern League's Player of the Week for April 27 - May 3 after hitting .483 (14-for-29) with four triples and 11 runs scored. On the year the outfielder has scored a league-leading 42 runs and hit a MiLB leading 11 triples.
Along with Buxton, Polanco has also had a standout start to the year, garnering a team-high 40 hits in May. The infielder is now hitting .315, which is the ninth highest average in the league, and is tied for second in the league in hits with 68. Joining Polanco on the North Division's infield is Sano. The 10th overall prospect in all of Minor League Baseball racked up 10 home runs in 48 games and is fourth in the league in runs scored with 36.
Rounding out the Lookouts 2015 All-Star class is Walker II. The league leader in home runs (15), RBIs (46), extra-base hits (30) and total bases (114) will be making his third straight appearance in a Mid-Season All-Star game. Last season the slugger won the Florida State League Home Run Derby and was named the game's MVP after going 3-for-5 with a home run and a double.
Before the League's All-Star Game in Montgomery on June 23, the Lookouts will play five at home from June 17-21 to close out the first half. Tickets to Lookouts Baseball presented by FSG Bank are available now online and by calling the box office at 423-267-4TIX.
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About the Chattanooga Lookouts
The Chattanooga Lookouts, a founding member of the Southern League in 1885, are the Class AA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. The Lookouts play their home games at AT&T Field, located on Hawk Hill in downtown Chattanooga. With nearly 130 years of professional baseball, Chattanoga has an alumni list that includes Rogers Hornsby, Ferguson Jenkins, Harmon Killebrew, and Satchel Paige. For more information, keep up with the Lookouts year-round at www.lookouts.com, or by following us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Chattanooga Lookouts), Twitter (@ChattLookouts) and Instagram (@ChattLookouts).