Four JetHawks to represent Cal League
LANCASTER, Calif. - The California League announced its roster for the 2013 California League-Carolina League All-Star Game on Friday and four JetHawks were selected, giving Lancaster the second-most selections in the Cal League. Voting for each league's roster was completed by each team's manager, general manager and select media members.
Outfielders Preston Tucker and Andrew Aplin, third baseman Matt Duffy and right-handed pitcher Brady Rodgers will represent the JetHawks and the California League in the June 18 mid-season showcase at Municipal Stadium in San Jose.
Tucker, who leads all of Minor League Baseball with 57 RBI, was named Cal League Offensive Player of the Week for the week of May 27-June 2 and Lancaster's Player of the Month for the month of May. He leads the JetHawks with 11 home runs and is second on the team with 14 doubles. The second-year pro out of the University of Florida put up an on-base percentage of .400, drove in 30 runs and put together a team-best 17-game hitting streak during the month.
Aplin has patrolled centerfield and batted third for the California League's best offense this season. He earned Offensive Player of the Week honors for the week of May 20-26 after hitting .462 with seven extra-base hits and 10 RBI. The former Arizona State leadoff man leads the JetHawks with 17 doubles and five triples and has also hit five home runs including two grand slams. He ranks third in the California League with 47 RBI.
Duffy's selection marks the third time he's been selected to an All-Star team during his professional career. He was a New York-Penn League All-Star in 2011 with the Tri-City ValleyCats and a South Atlantic League All-Star in 2012 with the Lexington Legends. The former Tennessee Volunteer ranks in the League's top-10 in batting average (.306), home runs (10) and RBI (44). Duffy was named the Offensive Player of the Week for the season's opening week and started the year with a 15-game hitting streak. Aside from his work with the bat, he has played stellar defense at the hot corner.
Rodgers, the Astros third round pick in 2012, leads the JetHawks with five wins and entered the week with a 3.28 ERA despite pitching his home games at hitter-friendly Lancaster. The former Arizona State ace was named the California League Pitcher of the Week for the week of May 27-June 2 during which he went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA with seven strikeouts and one walk. He recently had a 15.0 consecutive scoreless innings streak snapped.
The JetHawks (four) and Visalia (four) received the second-most selections while All-Star Game host San Jose led the way with seven. High Desert, Lake Elsinore, Stockton, Bakersfield and Inland Empire also had multiple selections.
Last year, the JetHawks sent two players, outfielder George Springer and right-hander Bobby Doran, to the game.
The 2013 California-Carolina League All-Star Game will be played in San Jose, CA at Municipal Stadium, the home of the San Jose Giants. It will mark the first time that the team has hosted this event. Baseball's top prospects, representing 18 Major League teams and 18 Minor League affiliates, will descend upon Municipal Stadium on June 18 as two of the nation's elite Class-A Advanced leagues matchup in the 17th California-Carolina League All-Star Game. After last year's 9-1 victory by the Carolina League in Winston-Salem, N.C., the two Class-A Advanced circuits are deadlocked in the game's history with identical 7-7-2 records.
Tickets still remain for the 2013 California-Carolina League All-Star Game in San Jose. To learn more and purchase tickets visit sjgiants.com/allstargame or call (408) 297-1435. If fans are unable to attend the 2013 California-Carolina League All-Star Game, the game will be televised locally on Comcast Hometown Network Digital Channel 104 and nationally on MiLB.TV. Fans will also be able to listen to the game for free online at sjgiants.com and via the San Jose Giants Mobile App. Whether fans are listening, watching or attending the game, the San Jose Giants want to encourage everyone to use the official social media hashtag of the 2013 All-Star Game, #SJASG13. Fans can begin right now by participating in the All-Star Game poster contest. Visit sjgiants.com/allstargame and download the official 2013 California-Carolina League All-Star Game poster. Then, take a picture of your poster hanging up in your business, home or school and post it on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook tagging the San Jose Giants, using #SJASG13. One lucky fan will win a bag filled with All-Star merchandise!
Don't miss a moment of the 2013 season as the JetHawks look to repeat as California League Champions. Season tickets and great ticket packages are available now. To order, call (661) 726-5400 or visit jethawks.com.