Seven AquaSox Players Named 2013 NWL All-Stars
EVERETT, Wash. - On Thursday, the Northwest League announced the rosters for the 2013 All-Star Game, to be played August 6th at Everett Memorial Stadium, and seven AquaSox players have been named North Division All-Stars. Pitchers Aaron Brooks, Lars Huijer, and Jose Valdivia will join catcher Carlton Tanabe and infielders DJ Peterson, Jack Reinheimer, and Justin Seager on the North Division team. The first-half division champions were rewarded for their efforts with strong showings in both fan and manager voting as Peterson and Reinheimer were selected as starters for the league's first All-Star Game since 2004.
Peterson, who has since been called up to the Class-A Clinton LumberKings, headlines the Frogs' All-Stars. The NWL's leader in home runs and RBIs in the first half, Peterson hit .312 with 6 homers and 27 RBIs in 29 games with Everett this season. The Mariners' first round pick in this year's draft anchored the middle of the lineup for the AquaSox as they clinched the first half Division title and a spot in the postseason. Although he will be replaced on the roster, Peterson was still honored as an All-Star after developing into a Triple Crown threat during the first half of the 2013 NWL season.
Reinheimer, the other member of the AquaSox to be voted into the All-Star Game as a starter, has been a fixture in the middle of the infield and the top of the batting order all season long. A fifth round selection by Seattle out of East Carolina University in 2013, Reinheimer batted .285 with 16 RBIs and seven stolen bases in the season's first half. He played in 33 games, 30 of them at shortstop, and committed just two errors for a .988 fielding percentage.
Seager, the younger brother of Mariner's third baseman Kyle Seager and a 12th round pick in the 2013 MLB Draft, was named an All-Star Reserve after batting .246 with two homers and 12 RBIs in the first half. The All-Star Game will take place at Everett Memorial Stadium, where Seager has hit .324 with three home runs and 13 RBIs this season.
Tanabe's selection makes it two straight years that the AquaSox have had an All-Star catcher. The Frogs' backstop hit .269 with one home run and eight RBIs in the first half. Tanabe has excelled on the defensive side of the ball, throwing out 14 of 27 runners that have attempted to steal on him, good for a 52% caught-stealing percentage.
Huijer has been a dependable presence in the AquaSox' rotation and developed into the staff ace during the first half. The Dutchman tied for the league lead in wins with five, had an ERA of 2.21, and recorded 31 strikeouts in 36.2 innings. In his first start after being named an All-Star, Huijer showed why he was worthy of the honor, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning while striking out seven to earn his sixth win on July 25th against Tri-City.
Brooks struggled a bit in his last two appearances of the first half following a short call-up to Advanced Class-A High Desert, but was one of the league's best relievers for most of the first 38 games. Serving as the Frog's closer, the Mountlake Terrace native appeared in 11 games, posted a record of 1-0, and was a perfect three-for-three in save opportunities. The 6'6" Edmonds Community College product struck out 20 hitters in 16.2 innings.
Valdivia was named an All-Star after giving the 'Sox another strong right handed presence at the back end of the bullpen. Serving primarily as a set-up man and a bridge to Brooks, Valdivia made 11 appearances in the first half, compiling an impressive line with a 2-0 record, 1.89 ERA, and 18 strikeouts in 19.0 innings.
In addition to the seven Everett players that will suit up for the All-Star Game, the AquaSox coaching staff, including manager Rob Mummau, pitching coach Rich Dorman, hitting coach Rafael Santo Domingo, head athletic trainer Spyder Webb, and performance specialist Taylor Nakamura, will serve as the coaches for the North Division team.
The Everett AquaSox host the 2013 Northwest League All-Star Game, presented by Tulalip Resort Casino, on Tuesday, August 6, 2013. This event marks the first NWL All-Star game since 2004, and will become an annual league tradition, with a different NWL team hosting it each year. The game will be preceded by All-Star festivities including the All-Star Luncheon, presented by Miller Lite and Mike's Hard Lemonade, an All-Star Fan Fest and autograph session, made possible in part by assistance from the Snohomish County TPA Fund, and a Home Run Derby, presented by Safeco Insurance. Admission to Fan Fest and the Home Run Derby is included with the purchase of an All-Star Game ticket and gates open at 2:30 PM. For more information on the All-Star Game, Luncheon, Fan Fest, and Home Run Derby, as well as to purchase tickets, visit www.aquasox.com/allstargame or call 425-258-3673.