Seven Storm Standouts Named To California League All-Star Team
LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. - The 2019 California League All-Star rosters were announced today and seven Lake Elsinore Storm players were selected to represent the South Division at the upcoming All-Star Game on Tuesday, June 18 in San Bernardino, CA. This list of talent includes four pitchers and three position players,
LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. - The 2019 California League All-Star rosters were announced today and seven Lake Elsinore Storm players were selected to represent the South Division at the upcoming All-Star Game on Tuesday, June 18 in San Bernardino, CA. This list of talent includes four pitchers and three position players, led by San Diego Padres' prospects
Below is a brief bio (as of 6/6/19) of the featured Storm players:
MacKenzie Gore
The talented lefthander has been the top pitcher in the league, going 5-1 with a 1.13 ERA over 11 starts. Opponents have hit only .145 against the Whiteville, North Carolina native, who has 77 strikeouts and only 11 walks in 55.2 IP. Gore pitched only two innings in his last start (6/5/19 at IE) as the Padres are monitoring the workload of the 20-year-old, who totaled 60.2 innings last year at Fort Wayne.
Luis Campusano
The 20-year-old from Augusta, Georgia began the season with a team-best 10-game hitting streak and currently is second in the league in batting average (.315), second in on-base percentage (.402) and third in slugging percentage (.503), while also leading the Storm with six HR, 24 RBI and 13 doubles.
Esteury Ruiz
The former Kansas City Royals farmhand has played in a team-high 53 games and is second on the team with 23 RBI, tied for second with five HR and third on the club with 46 hits. The 20-year-old from Azua, Dominican Republic, who hit 12 HR with 49 steals last season at Fort Wayne, leads the Storm and is second in the league with 21 steals.
Evan Miller
The native of LaPorte, Indiana continues to post impressive numbers after a standout 2018 season in the Midwest League. The righthander, who was drafted in the 22nd round (2016) out of Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne (IN), is second in the league with eight saves in nine opportunities. He is 1-1 overall with a 1.35 ERA in 19 games. In 26.2 IP, he has 29 strikeouts, nine walks and opponents batting only .111 (10-90) against the Storm closer.
Elliot Ashbeck
After an All-Star season a year ago with the Storm, the Marshfield, Wisconsin native continues to impress in the California League. He began 2019 at Double-A Amarillo, but since joining the Storm in early April he has continued to flourish. Overall, in one start and 15 games out of the bullpen, the former Bradley Brave is 2-0 with a 1.82 ERA. In 34.2 innings he has 32 strikeouts, 15 walks and opponents are batting only .169 against the reliable righty.
Robbie Podorsky
The speedy outfielder from Baton Rouge, LA is named an All-Star but will not play in the Mid-Summer Classic due to an injury. The former McNeese State star, drafted in the 25th Round in 2017, is batting .289 in 40 games, with 41 hits, 21 runs, 12 RBI and 12-15 in stolen bases. Last season Podorsky hit .366 in 57 games with Fort Wayne, finishing third in the Padres' system with 24 stolen bases.
Ronald Bolanos
The Havana, Cuba native was named an All-Star but will not be part of the festivities after earning a promotion to join the Amarillo Sod Poodles in the Texas League. The 22-year-old made 23 starts for the Storm last season going 6-9 with a 5.11 ERA. He improved those numbers in 2019, posting a 5-2 record with a 2.85 ERA in 10 starts. In 53.2 IP, he recorded 54 strikeouts with 23 walks and opponents hit .193 against the righthander.
All-Star Game festivities on Tuesday, June 18 begin with Fan Fest at 3:30 PM, the Home Run Derby at 5 PM and first pitch set for 7:05 PM.