Six San Jose Giants Named 2017 California League All-Stars
San Jose, CA- Six San Jose Giants players have been named to the North Division California League All-Star team and will participate in the 2017California League All-Star Game against the South Division All-Stars on June 20 in Visalia, California. RHP Mike Connolly, C Aramis Garcia, RHP Ryan Halstead, INF Ryan Howard,
San Jose, CA- Six San Jose Giants players have been named to the North Division California League All-Star team and will participate in the 2017California League All-Star Game against the South Division All-Stars on June 20 in Visalia, California. RHP
"I am proud of each and every one of our six players that were selected to the All-Star team," said Nestor Rojas, San Jose Giants Manager. "The opportunity to represent both the California League and the San Francisco Giants against All-Stars from the South Division is a great honor for these players. These six guys leave everything on the field day in and day out and this recognition is well deserved."
Conner Menez has shined at the top of the San Jose Giants rotation. The lefty leads the San Jose Giants pitching staff in wins, innings pitched and is third on the team in strikeouts. In eleven starts, Menez, the San Francisco Giants 2016 14th Round Pick and Hollister, CA native has fashioned a 5-2 record over 62 innings with a 3.19 ERA for the San Jose Giants. He is currently tied for fourth in the California League in wins and seventh in ERA.
Mike Connolly has been another strong starting arm for the San Jose Giants rotation. The right-handed pitcher and New England native has compiled a 3.63 ERA and 3-5 record in ten starts. Connolly also has struck out 44 batters while only walking 15, fifth-best among California League starters.
Outfielder Bryan Reynolds has been one of the stars for the team. Reynolds, the San Francisco Giants second round draft pick in 2016 and 3rd highest prospect in the MiLB.com rankings, is second on the team in total bases (95), second in AVG (.300) and second in hits (67). Reynolds also leads the California League with 5 triples and recently saw a season-high 17-game hitting streak come to an end.
Infielder Ryan Howard has been the most consistent bat for San Jose towards the top of the order. Howard, a fifth round pick in 2016 out of Missouri, is leading the California League with 77 hits, is third in total at-bats with 239 and has the fifth-best batting average at .322. Howard is the San Jose Giants leader in hits, AVG and total bases (100).
Catcher Aramis Garcia has rebounded from an injury plagued 2016 season and is having a fantastic year behind the dish. Garcia, the San Francisco Giants second round pick in 2014, is leading the San Jose Giants in doubles (15), RBI (40) and slugging percentage (.486). Garcia was named California League Player of the Week once earlier in the season, and is putting up team-leading numbers in only 43 games played.
Although since called up to Richmond, Ryan Halstead was the San Jose Giants key arm out of the bullpen. Halstead amassed eight saves in 24.1 innings pitched, and struck out 27 batters with a team-low 1.11 ERA.
Garcia and Reynolds were both named to the starting lineup for the North Division team.
The 2017 All-Star Game will be the 1st contest between the California North and South division all-stars, after a 20 year run against the Carolina League All-Stars. This year's event will be hosted by the Visalia Rawhide on Tuesday, June 20 at Rawhide Ballpark. All-Star festivities include a Fan-Fest on June 19, along with a Home Run Derby and Skills Challenge. The California League All-Star Game the following day will be preceded by an on-field ceremony to induct the 2017 California League Hall of Fame Class.
The San Jose Giants finish a seven-game road trip against the Modesto Nuts on Wednesday, June 14. San Jose's next homestand begins on Thursday, June 15 and will feature exciting promotions such as Harry Potter Night on June 16, Dynamic Duo