(Waldorf, MD., Jul. 2, 2017) – The Atlantic League All-Star selections were announced today, and the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs have five players voted to represent the team. RHP Daryl Thompson, RHP Sam Runion, OF Cory Vaughn, 1B Devon Rodriguez, and 3B Frank Martinez have been selected to participate in this year’s All-Star festivities. The all-star game will take place on July 11th at BethPage Ballpark, home of the Long Island Ducks.
The selections are highlighted by four veterans of the Blue Crabs locker room, beginning with starting pitcher Daryl Thompson’s selection to his third Atlantic League All-Star Game, and second consecutive. The right-hander is in his seventh season with the team, and is having his best performance yet through the first-half. Thompson was voted as the Blue Crabs Opening Day starter this year, and responded by posting a 1.96 ERA, currently the lowest in the league among eligible pitchers.
Reliever Sam Runion will join Thompson at the festivities, his first career All-Star selection. The right-hander has been dominant out of the bullpen this year, posting a 1.50 ERA, the fourth-lowest among all relievers with 20 or more appearances. Runion’s 34 strikeouts rank him third among relievers in the Atlantic League. The reliever did not allow a run from May 19th-June 28th, a streak that spanned a team-high 18 appearances.
The two pitchers will be joined by three position players as well, highlighted by OF Cory Vaughn, heading to the All-Star Game for the second consecutive year. Vaughn, who is now in his second season with the team, was voted as a starting outfielder for the Freedom Division last season, and will return to the game after a solid first-half of the 2018 season. The center-fielder leads the team with 10 homeruns, ranking him third in the league. Vaughn also ranks second on the team with 24 RBI’s, 27 runs scored, and six stolen bases.
Southern Maryland will send 1B Devon Rodriguez to the game for a second consecutive season as well. After breaking the Blue Crabs record for batting average in a season last year, Rodriguez has been a mainstay in the lineup for all of 2018. He has appeared in 52 games for the team, the third-highest total, and has hit .281 with 19 RBI’s and 28 runs scored, putting him one ahead of Vaughn for the most runs on the team.
In his first season with the team, 3B Frank Martinez will join his teammates in Long Island. The infielder has made a big impact in the middle of the Blue Crabs lineup this season by hitting .315, the seventh-highest total in the league. The switch-hitting Martinez has added three homeruns and 22 RBI’s, the third-highest total in both categories on the team.
“We’re happy for these five to have the opportunity to represent our team in the All-Star Game,” said Manager James Frisbie. “Every one of them have worked hard for this opportunity, and are all very deserving of the recognition from the league and the fans.”
To see the entire 2018 Atlantic League All-Star rosters, go to:http://atlanticleague.com/about/press-releases/index.html?article_id=1025