Ronald Guzman to participate in All-Star Home Run Derby
FRISCO, TEXAS (June 24, 2016) - With the 2016 Texas League All-Star Game coming up on Tuesday, June 28 at Hammons Field, the Springfield Cardinals and the Texas League announced on Friday the participants for the Home Run Derby. RoughRiders first baseman Ronald Guzman earned a spot in the eight-player competition, representing the South Division.
Guzman, 21, has been one of the RoughRiders' most dangerous and consistent hitters in the first half. In his first Double-A season, he's hitting .287 with nine home runs and 29 RBI. Guzman has three hit streaks of six games or longer and reached in 17 consecutive games from April 21 - May 9. With nine home runs already, Guzman is on pace to shatter his single-season career-high of 12, set last year between Class-A Hickory and Class A-Advanced High Desert. Guzman was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2011.
In Round One, the eight players will each have three minutes and 30 seconds to hit as many home runs as they can. The North Division player with the top 1st-round home run total and the South Division player with the top 1st-round home run total will both advance to Round Two. A wild card player, the hitter with the next-highest home run total from either division, will also advance to Round Two.
With their individual home run totals from Round One carrying into Round Two, the three finalists will then each receive another three minutes and 30 seconds in Round Two to hit as many home runs as they can. The player with the most home runs combined through the two rounds will be crowned the Home Run Derby Champion.
In the event of a tie in either round, a 60-second swing off will serve as the tiebreaker. Just like last year's Major League Home Run Derby, there will not be outs recorded for not hitting a home run.
The Home Run Derby will begin at 5:45pm on Tuesday, June 28 prior to the All-Star Game at 7:10 p.m.
The RoughRiders had the third-most players selected to the All-Star Game, only behind Tulsa (nine) and Corpus Christi (nine). Guzman and outfielder Ryan Cordell earned starting spots at their respective positions. Catcher Isiah Kiner-Falefa and outfielder Preston Beck are listed as reserves. Starting pitchers Connor Sadzeck and Victor Payano made the squad, alongside reliever Adam Parks. It marks the sixth consecutive year Frisco has sent at least seven players to the All-Star Game, including the 10 representatives selected in 2014.
The game will be played at Hammons Field in Springfield, Missouri, home of the Springfield Cardinals. The Midland RockHounds coaching staff will coach the South Division all-stars, while the host Cardinals will employ their staff to coach the North Division squad.
The Riders continue a four-game series Friday night against the Houston-affiliated Corpus Christi Hooks at 7:05 p.m. Friday is Salute to Top Gun Night at Dr Pepper Ballpark, honoring the film's 30th anniversary. The homestand runs through Sunday and includes a Joey Gallo "BIG STICK" bobblehead giveaway on Saturday. Tickets for the remaining games on the homestand and other remaining games this season are available now online at RidersBaseball.com, via email at [email protected], over the phone at (972) 731-9200, or in-person at the RoughRiders box office.
About the RoughRiders
The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play their games at beautiful Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. The team was founded in 2003 and has finished first among all Double-A franchises in attendance in each of the last 11 seasons (2005-2015). In August 2014, the RoughRiders were purchased by an ownership group led by Chuck Greenberg and Scott Sonju. The new ownership group has spearheaded numerous major franchise improvements, from a completely new team identity to massive additions and upgrades to Dr Pepper Ballpark, including a giant new video board, sound system, sports bar, team store, improved food service and menu, and a complete overhaul of in-game entertainment. The improvements earned the Riders and the City of Frisco "Best Ballpark Renovation" of 2015 by Ballpark Digest in the under $6 million category. More than 130 former RoughRiders players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including All-Stars Chris Davis, Elvis Andrus, Adrian Gonzalez and Ian Kinsler. For more information on the Frisco RoughRiders and Dr Pepper Ballpark, please visit RidersBaseball.com or contact Nathan Barnett at (972) 334-1976 or via e-mail at [email protected].
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