NATURALS DOMINATE NORTH DIVISION ALL-STAR ROSTER
SPRINGDALE, Ark - The Texas League announced the rosters for the 82nd annual Texas League All-Star game on Wednesday and seven (7) members of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals were selected to represent the North Division in the exhibition game that will be played in Midland, Texas on Tuesday, June 26.
SPRINGDALE, Ark - The Texas League announced the rosters for the 82nd annual Texas League All-Star game on Wednesday and seven (7) members of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals were selected to represent the North Division in the exhibition game that will be played in Midland, Texas on Tuesday, June 26. Since the initial roster release, four (4) more pitchers have been tabbed to replace those that cannot participate to bring the total to a resounding 11 players.
Tim Purpura, the Texas League President, announced the players elected to the Texas League All-Star game. Players were selected to the North Division and South Division teams through a voting process that included each team's manager, pitching coach, additional coach and two (2) media representatives. The media representatives could include the club's radio broadcaster as well as a media representative. A voter was not allowed to vote for players from their own club.
The Naturals' All-Star selections included position players 2B
Mejia, has been the Naturals primary second baseman throughout the season and has settled in the number two spot in the lineup. The 23-year-old from the Dominican Republic entered the game on June 15 hitting .243 on the season. He leads the Naturals in stolen bases (19) and runs scored (40 and is tied for the team lead in triples (5). The switch-hitting infielder will be the Texas League North Division All-Star starting second baseman after being voted in by the league.
Lopez, has been the Naturals starting shortstop throughout the season with appearing in a few games at second base. The sweet swinging lefty has found a home in the three spot of the Naturals batting order and has flourished as of late. The 23-year-old Naperville, Illinois native is leading the team in hitting at .331, third best in the league, as of June 15 while leading the Texas League in hits (83). He currently leads the team in walks (31) and ranks third in runs scored (36). Lopez will get the start at shortstop for the North Division All-Stars, giving the Naturals both starters in the middle infield.
Flores, was selected to the North Division All-Stars as an infield/outfield reserve. The 24-year-old out of Venezuela has found of consistent home as of late at third base for the Naturals. He currently is second on the team in batting as he is hitting .330 as of June 15. Flores ranks second on the team in stolen bases (11) and fourth on the team in doubles (9).
Hernandez, has been the Naturals' clean-up hitter and primary right fielder during the year. The 23-year-old native of the Dominican Republic has been an offensive stalwart for Northwest Arkansas. Selected as an outfield reserve, Hernandez has the third highest batting average on the team at .315 while leading the squad in RBIs (41), doubles (17) and total bases (108). The outfielder is also second in runs scored (38) and also hits (80) while contributing three home runs.
Dini, was selected as a reserve catcher for the Texas League North Division. The 24-year-old New Jersey native returned to Northwest Arkansas from Omaha on April 28 and has hit at a .250 clip to go along with two home runs and 16 RBIs.
Griffin, was the Naturals' Opening Night starter and has been a consistent force in the starting rotation. As of June 15, the former first round draft pick in 2014 has led the Naturals in games started (13) innings pitched (70.1), strikeouts (54) and is tied for second on the team in wins (3). The 22-year-old Florida native is coming off his best start of the season where he tossed 7.0 innings of shutout baseball in a key win over the Arkansas Travelers on June 11.
Newberry, has been selected to the North Division pitching staff after serving as the Naturals' primary closer. The 23-year-old has been brilliant this season out of the bullpen. He is 1-0 on the season with a 1.91 ERA in 23 appearances to go along with 12 saves, which is three better than any other Texas League closer. As of June 15, Newberry owns the second highest strikeouts per 9.0 innings ratio at 11.44 and ranks in the top five in multiple other categories.
Blewett, has been added to the North Division roster. The right-hander has been really good of late as he has won his last two starts and now owns a 4-4 record (tied for team lead in wins) to go along with 48 strikeouts in 73.1 innings pitched.
Ogando, was tabbed as a replacement for the North Division. The lefty is tied for the team lead in wins (4) and has made 13 starts on the year, which ties him for the most on the team with Blewett and Griffin.
Sheller, has been added to the Texas League All-Star game after enjoying a great run out of the Naturals' bullpen since his promotion from Wilmington on April 24. The 22-year-old is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 15 relief appearances.
Lovvorn, was added to the North Division roster on June 14. The right-hander has made 12 starts and owns a 4-3 record, which ties him for the team lead in wins. He has tossed 63.1 innings and has struck out 44 compared to 21 walks.
Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Facebook and Twitter @NWANaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime and #CrowntoCrown for the latest information on the 2018 season of Naturals baseball.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark. For more information, including statistics, ticket options, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.
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