Rodriguez, Gideon Named 2016 PBL All Stars
HELENA, MT - The Pioneer League has released the 2016 End-of-Season All Star Team and the squad includes two Helena Brewers among its 14 players. Ronnie Gideon has been named the league's top first baseman while Wuilder Rodriguez has been selected as one of the top five pitchers in 2016.
First baseman Ronnie Gideon earned the honor in his first pro season after being drafted in the 23rd round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Texas A&M. The native of Hallsville, Texas has hit .319 with a league high 16 home runs through his first 57 games played. Gideon leads the Brewers with 20 doubles and 40 RBIs. His .634 slugging percentage ranks first in the Pioneer League, while his 36 extra-base hits rank third. He hit safely in 15 straight games from July 22 through August 12, and has amassed 29 RBIs in 31 games played in the second half of the season.
Gideon's success at the plate has extended into his defense, as the 21-year-old leads all qualifying first basemen with a .991 fielding percentage. He has committed just four errors in 51 games played in the field.
Wuilder Rodriguez has dazzled opponents in his first season pitching in North America, and just his second season of pro ball. A native of Puerto Caballo, Venezuela, Rodriguez went 5-4 with a 4.48 ERA in 17 outings comprised of seven starts and 10 relief appearances.
He excelled as a reliever, going 4-0 with a 1.93 ERA in 32.2 innings out of the bullpen. Opponents hit just .203 against the 23-year-old in his 10 relief outings.
One of the right-hander's greatest strengths was his pinpoint command, as he walked just 11 batters in 60.1 innings of work. He struck out 41, and did not allow an earned run in nine of his 17 appearances. Especially impressive was a stretch from July 26 through August 16 in which he did not allow a run in 17 consecutive innings.
Rodriguez is the only one of the five pitchers selected to the End-of-Season All Star squad that did not pitch for the Great Falls Voyagers.
Great Falls leads all teams in the Pioneer League with five All Star representatives. Helena and Idaho Falls each had two players selected, while the remaining five teams each had one player selected.
The Helena Brewers wrap up the 2016 regular season on Thursday night at Kindrick Legion Field, hosting the Billings Mustangs at 7:05. Tickets start at just $6 and are available online at helenabrewers.net, by calling 495-0500 or by visiting the box office at Kindrick Legion Field.