Pitch Men: Grizzlies net multiple All-Star Selections
FRESNO, Calif. - Three pitchers from the Fresno Grizzlies have been selected to the Sonic Automotive Triple-A All-Star Game presented by Gildan, at BB&T Ballpark in Charlotte, North Carolina, home of the Charlotte Knights of the International League. The game, which will pit right-handers Brady Rodgers, James Hoyt and Mike Hauschild and the rest of the Pacific Coast League All-Stars against the International League, will be broadcast live on MLB Network the evening of July 13.
In his fifth professional season, RHP Brady Rodgers will start the Triple-A All-Star Game for the visiting PCL. Rodgers, 25, will be playing in his second professional All-Star Game, last earning the honor in 2013 for the High-A Lancaster JetHawks of the California League. Rodgers currently leads the PCL in WHIP (1.03) and is second in ERA (2.83) and strikeouts per nine innings (8.71). He's walked just 10 batters in 13 starts over 82.2 innings (80 strikeouts), and leads in the PCL in fewest batters walked per nine innings (1.09).
In four June starts, Rodgers was 4-0 with a 1.27 ERA and 0.60 WHIP, with 30 strikeouts and only two walks in 28.1 innings (four earned runs). He'll become the first pitcher in Fresno Grizzlies history (since 1998) to start the Triple-A All-Star Game.
The current PCL leader in saves with 19, RHP James Hoyt has been selected to his second professional All-Star Game, last earning the honor in 2014 for the Double-A Mississippi Braves of the Southern League. Hoyt also leads the PCL in games finished (30), and is tied for second in appearances (34). His .138 average against is the best of any pitcher among Triple-A Baseball's 30 clubs. Hoyt is striking out batters at a nearly 2:1 rate, with 68 punchouts in 38.1 innings pitched in 2016.
A first-time all-star selection at any level in his fifth professional season, RHP Mike Hauschild begins July with the PCL's fifth-lowest ERA at 3.02. Hauschild has surged onto the PCL All-Star roster in his three most recent starts, allowing just two earned runs in 21 innings, with 16 strikeouts and just two walks. He also began the season hot, firing quality starts in three of his first four games (six innings pitched with three or fewer earned runs).
The Triple-A All-Star Game rosters for each league are decided by equal parts fan popular vote, manager and coaching staff ballot, and media ballot from each club's market.
It's also been announced that Houston top prospect RHP Joe Musgrove has been selected to represent the Astros at the 2016 SiriusXM All-Star Futures game on July 10 (ESPN) at San Diego's Petco Park. Part of Major League Baseball's All-Star Game festivities, the game pits baseball's brightest future stars (Team USA vs. International) against one another. Musgrove, posted a 0.34 ERA with 30 K/3 BB in 26.1 innings at Double-A Corpus Christi to begin this season before being promoted to Fresno on May 13. He will be joined by organizational teammate INF Alex Bregman, Houston's top current position player prospect. It's been widely reported Bregman, a shortstop/third baseman, will be moved to Triple-A and join Fresno shortly.
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ABOUT THE FRESNO GRIZZLIES
The 2015 National Champion Fresno Grizzlies, Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, are a member of the 16-team Pacific Coast League and are one of 30 teams in the world playing the highest level of Minor League Baseball. The 2015 season was one of historic proportions for the team and City of Fresno, as the Grizzlies secured their first-ever Pacific Coast League and Triple-A National Championships. Learn about 2016 ticket plans by calling the front office at 559.320.TIXS between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.