A Trio of IronPigs Named to All-Star Team
C Andrew Knapp, OF Cam Perkins and RHP Edward Mujica will serve as the IronPigs' representatives at the 29th annual Triple-A All-Star Game to be played on July 13 at BB&T Bank Ballpark in Charlotte, N.C., the International League announced on Wednesday. The 2016 Triple-A All-Star Game will be nationally televised on the MLB Network, beginning at 7 p.m.
Knapp, 24, entered the season ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the Phillies system according to Baseball America, and has established himself as one of the premier backstops in the International League while hitting .300 over his last 22 games. The Roseville, Calif. native hit safely in a season-high 10 straight games from 5/31-6/11, posting a .366 average over the stretch. Knapp was the recipient of the 2015 Paul Owens Award as the best player in the Phillies Minor League system following a breakout second half with Double-A Reading (.360 with 11 HRs and 56 RBIs). This is Knapp's second career All-Star nod following his selection to the 2015 Florida State League classic. Knapp was selected by the Phillies in the 2nd round of the 2013 draft out of the University of California, Berkeley.
Perkins, 25, has been among the most consistent offensive performers for the IronPigs this season, currently hitting .292 with 20 extra-base hits and 26 RBIs in 63 games. Earlier this season, Perkins recorded hits in 15 consecutive games - hitting .407 during the period - while establishing the 4th-longest hitting streak in IronPigs history. This is the third career All-Star nod for Perkins following selections in 2013 (Florida State League) and 2015 (Eastern League). The Nederlands, Texas native was obtained by the Phillies in the 6th round of the 2012 draft out of Purdue University.
Mujica, 32, currently leads the International League (and ranks 3rd in all of Minor League Baseball) with 19 saves while appearing in a team-high 31 games. The Valencia, Venezuela native has converted nine straight save opportunities and has logged an impressive 2.59 ERA in his last 29 games. Remarkably, he's issued just three walks on the season and thrown 364 of his 501 total pitches on the season for strikes (72.7%). Mujica - who had not pitched in the Minor Leagues since 2008 prior to this season - is a former National League All-Star with St. Louis in 2013 (2-1, 2.78 ERA and 37 saves). He's gone 24-28 with a 3.85 ERA and 50 saves in 494 career games with Cleveland ('06-'08), San Diego ('09-'10), Miami ('11-'12), St. Louis ('12-13), Boston ('14-'15) and Oakland ('15) during his ten-year Major League career.
Following last year's come-from-behind 4-3 victory in the Triple-A All-Star Game, the IL owns an 11-7 advantage in the 18 years since the event changed to the current IL vs. PCL format. The winning League this season will once again earn the right to have its champion play as the "home team" at the Gildan Triple-A National Championship Game which will take place Tuesday, September 20 in Memphis, Tenn.
Great seats are still available for all upcoming IronPigs home games at Coca-Cola Park and can be purchased in-person at Coca-Cola Park (Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), by calling (610) 841-PIGS (7447) or online at ironpigsbaseball.com/tickets.
The 2016 IronPigs baseball season is presented by Capital BlueCross.