The Florida State League named their selections for the June 16th All-Star game in Tampa. The Bradenton Marauders had three players chosen for the game. Pitchers Eduardo Vera and Matt Eckelman, along with infielder Alfredo Reyes were picked for the mid-season contest.
Vera was just named out Pitcher of the Month for May and won’t be participating in the game because he was promoted to Altoona earlier this week. While with Bradenton, he posted a 2.95 ERA in 58 innings over nine starts, with a 1.00 WHIP, a .230 BAA and a 30:10 SO/BB ratio. In the minors, they usually replace players who can’t play in the game with someone else from their own team, so we could see a fourth Marauder make the game.
Matt Eckelman has a 2.16 ERA in 16.2 innings, with 20 strikeouts, a .172 BAA and an 0.90 WHIP. His numbers actually looked much better before his last outing when he gave up two of the four runs he has allowed this year. The 24-year-old right-hander also has five saves and a 3-0 record, so I’m sure those things helped his All-Star case.
Alfredo Reyes is hitting .295/.405/.364 in 40 games and he’s 14-for-15 in steals. On defense, he’s seen starts at second base, third base and shortstop and even played once at first base. Last year for Bradenton, he played all three outfield positions. So while he doesn’t have the best hitting stats on the team, his speed, defense and solid hitting, make him a valuable player.
Albert Baur didn’t get selected with his .951 OPS, which ranks second in the FSL.
