SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive Sending Five to the 2010 South Atlantic League All-Star Game

Published on June 7, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - When Fluor Field hosts the 51st Annual South Atlantic League All-Star Game on Tuesday, June 22nd, the Greenville Drive will be represented with by five members - manager Billy McMillon, head trainer David Herrera, catcher Dan Butler, outfielder Ronald Bermudez, and relief pitcher Dennis Neuman.

Drive relief pitcher Cesar Cabral was also selected to the Southern Division All-Star Team, but will not participate due to his recent promotion to the Salem Red Sox of the Carolina League.

For Butler, Bermudez, Neuman and Herrera, 2010 marks their first MiLB All-Star selection, while McMillon is making his second consecutive appearance in the South Atlantic League All-Star Game.

Drive General Manager, Mike deMaine, commented on the selections, saying, "We are very excited to be hosting the South Atlantic League All-Star Game for the first time at Fluor Field. Fans will not only want to cheer on our hometown selections, but they will have the opportunity to see future Major Leaguers in action.

Former South Atlantic League All-Stars such as Ryan Howard, Jason Heyward, Pablo Sandoval, and Andrew McCutchen, are all excelling in the big leagues today and this year's field of top prospects is sure to include a number of future greats as well!"

In his rookie year as the Drive's manager, Billy McMillon has led the exciting and talented young Drive team to its current third place standing in the Southern Division. Greenville leads the 14-team South Atlantic League with 93 stolen bases, while placing fourth in home runs (38), third in triples (20), third in on-base percentage (.328), and is tied for third in saves (16).

Butler, who will be the Southern Division's starting catcher, is fourth in the league with a .315 batting average, as well as fourth in on-base percentage (.401) and fifth in slugging percentage (.525). Signed as a non-drafted free agent out of the University of Arizona in 2009, Butler was named the league's Offensive Player of the Week for April 19-25 after hitting .450 with two homers, seven RBI, and five runs scored over that stretch.

Butler will be the fourth catcher that has made the midseason All-Star team for the Drive in five years, joining Mark Wagner (2006), Luis Exposito (2008), and Tim Federowicz (2009).

In his fifth season in the Red Sox organization, and third in the United States, Bermudez has already set career-highs with four homers, while on pace to top his personal bests in batting average, RBI, runs scored, hits, and doubles. After starting the season on the disabled list, missing seven games, Bermudez is second on the Drive in batting average (.288), while leading the team in hits (57) and doubles (17), and is second with 30 runs scored and 26 RBI.

Neuman rounds out the Drive's players, posting a 2.76 ERA in 17 relief appearances this season. A native of Curacao, the right-hander leads the Drive and is perfect in six save opportunities. In addition, Neuman is tops amongst the team's current relievers in ERA and with 34 strikeouts.

"The Red Sox are among the best in the game at scouting, drafting, and developing Major League talent," noted Drive Co-Owner/President, Craig Brown. "Having three players and two members of the field staff selected to this year's South Atlantic League All-Star Game, further demonstrates the importance of the amateur draft and international scouting, and the overall quality of the Boston Red Sox minor league system as they continually build for the future."

Tickets to the South Atlantic League All-Star Game, which range from $6 to $10, are currently on sale and can be purchased at the Fluor Field Box Office, online at www.GreenvilleDrive.com, or by calling (864) 240-4528. On the day of the All-Star Game, the gates to Fluor Field will open at 5:30 PM. The Home Run Derby will begin at 6 PM, with first pitch of the game set for 7:15 PM. The finals of the Home Run Derby will take place after the second inning.

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 7, 2010


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