Tyler Thornburg to play in 2011 XM All-Star Futures Game

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The past few days have been busy for former Wisconsin Timber Rattlers pitcher Tyler Thornburg. It has been capped off with him being named to the roster for the United States team in the 2011 XM All-Star Futures Game at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday, July 10.

Thornburg, the third round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2010 draft, started off the last eight days with a victory at Peoria on June 15. In the game that turned out to be his last start with the Rattlers, Thornburg allowed a run on two hits with nine strikeouts. The right-hander went 7-0, struck out 63 batters in 60 innings, and had an ERA of 1.65 in twelve starts with Wisconsin.

On Tuesday, June 21, Thornburg pitched a scoreless second inning with a pair of strikeouts for the Western Division at the Midwest League All-Star Game. Then, the Brewers announced on Thursday that Thornburg had been promoted to the Brevard County Manatees, their Florida State League affiliate.

Now, Thornburg, who was rated as the #9 prospect in the Brewers organization by Baseball America before the start of the season, will join 49 other top prospects in the Futures Game two days before the Major League All-Star Game is played at Chase Field.

There is a possibility for Thornburg to face another former Timber Rattlers player. Alex Liddi, a member of the Rattlers in 2006, 2007, and 2008 when the team was affiliated with the Seattle Mariners, is currently playing with the Tacoma Rainiers in the Pacific Coast League and has been named to the roster for the World Team at the Futures Game for the third time.

The 2011 XM All-Star Futures Game will be broadcast on ESPN2 at 5:00pm CDT on July 10.

For more on Thornburg's selection follow this link to mlb.com.