Keury De la Cruz Named to 2012 South Atlantic League Annual All-Star Team
August 30, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release
Greenville, SC - When looking around the South Atlantic League, it's tough to find a position player that has had a better 2012 season than that of the Greenville Drive's Keury De la Cruz. The 21-year-old is amongst the circuit's top hitters in 11 different offensive categories. On Thursday, South Atlantic League President Eric Krupa announced that the outfielder was selected to the 2012 Annual All-Star Team.
De la Cruz is the third straight player in Drive franchise history to be named to the league's Annual All-Star Team, joining fellow outfielders Jeremy Hazelbaker (2010) and Brandon Jacobs (2011). De la Cruz joins Jacobs as the only two players in franchise history to be selected to both the mid-season and end-of-season all-star teams. The All-Star Team is voted on by the 14 South Atlantic League team's Field Managers, Coaches, General Managers, Sports Writers, and Broadcasters.
"Keury has had an outstanding 2012 season," noted Drive Manager Carlos Febles. "He worked very hard at getting better both offensively and defensively. He made major strides in his development and proved to be a leader on the field."
Febles added, "If he continues to work hard and improve his overall game, I believe he has a chance to play this game at the highest of levels. Speaking on behalf of the Red Sox organization, we are all proud of what he's been able to accomplish this season."
Having a breakout season in his fourth year in the Red Sox organization, De la Cruz was one of the South Atlantic League's top hitters before earning a promotion to the Salem Red Sox, Boston's Advanced-A affiliate in the Carolina League. Signed as an International Free Agent in 2009, De la Cruz ranked amongst the circuit's top 10 batters in Average (7th, .308), At Bats (T-4th, 474), Hits (T-2nd, 146), Extra-Base Hits (2nd, 62), Total Bases (1st, 254), Doubles (T-5th, 35), Triples (4th, 8), Home Runs (T-2nd, 19), RBI (T-3rd, 81), Slugging Percentage (3rd, .536), and OPS (6th, .888).
Each of the aforementioned statistics, as well as his 19 stolen bases, were all career-highs for De la Cruz as he appeared in 116 games with the Drive this season.
Drive President and Co-Owner, Craig Brown, stated about the announcement, "The Boston Red Sox continue to show why they are the cream of the crop when it comes to scouting, drafting, and developing young talent that will help them at the Major League level. It has been a joy to witness Keury's development and to be part of his success during the 2012 season. We congratulate Keury on this well-deserved honor, and wish him all the very best as he continues his development towards the big leagues."
The Drive wrap-up their home schedule of the 2012 regular season with a four-game series against the Hickory Crawdads, beginning Friday at Fluor Field. First pitch is slated for 7:05 PM with post-game fireworks. For more information regarding single-game tickets, luxury accommodations, and group outings, visit GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 30, 2012
- Suns Hobbled by 'Hoppers 12-2 - Hagerstown Suns
- Not So Happy Ending in Last Regular Season Home Game - Rome Emperors
- Crawdads Take Home Finale, 3-1, for Series Win - Hickory Crawdads
- BlueClaws Can't Sweet 'Birds, Lose 6-4 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Blair Homer Seals Series Win - Augusta GreenJackets
- Hickory Takes Series Finale over Legends, 3-1 - Lexington Legends
- Drive Come from Behind to Win - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Shorebirds Win Final Home Game of the Year, 6-4 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- RiverDogs Finish Home Slate with Twin Bill Split - Charleston RiverDogs
- Three Legends' Players, Hitting Coach Named to SAL All-Star Team - Lexington Legends
- Matt Skole Named South Atlantic League MVP - Hagerstown Suns
- Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Payne Named to SAL Postseason All-Star Team - Augusta GreenJackets
- Intimidators Management Gone Mad - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- South Atlantic League Announces 2012 Annual All-Star Team - SAL1
- Keury De la Cruz Named to 2012 South Atlantic League Annual All-Star Team - Greenville Drive
- Mikulik, 3 Tourist Players Named to SAL Year-End All-Star Team - Asheville Tourists
- BlueClaws to Host High School Showcase October 6-7 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Polanco and Hanson Honored as 2012 Annual All-Stars - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Professional Fastpitch Softball Coming to WV Power - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Drive Edge Intimidators in 10 Innings - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
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