Six Wingnuts Selected to All-Star Team
July 14, 2014 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (July 14, 2014) - The American Association will be hosting a mid-season All-Star Game for the first time since 2010 on July 29th in Winnipeg. The Wichita Wingnuts, who currently own the best record in the league, will have six representatives in the event, four of them as starters.
Carlo Testa, who was also named the American Association Pointstreak Player of the Week for the past seven days, will be a starter in the outfield. In the week beginning on July 7th, Testa went 9-19 (.474) with six runs scored, two triples, and three RBI. He is currently fourth in the league in batting average (.349), tied for third in runs (52), and fourth in hits (80). He is also among the top five league-wide in total bases, triples, and extra-base hits. This is Testa's first season in the American Association.
He will be joined in the outfield grass at Shaw Park by center fielder Brent Clevlen. The former Detroit Tiger and Atlanta Brave is in his third season with the Wingnuts. He was also named a Post-Season All-Star in the outfield following the 2013 season. Clevlen is hitting .335, good for seventh in the league. He is tied for the lead in both extra-base hits and doubles, while tied for fourth in total bases.
Catcher Chris McMurray will be calling pitches as the starter behind home plate. He was named the top catcher in the American Association back in 2012, spending time with both the Lincoln Saltdogs and Grand Prairie AirHogs that season. In his first year with the Wingnuts he has been a stalwart defensively, throwing out 12 of 29 attempted base stealers and having yet to allow a passed ball. The Mission Viejo, California native has been effective at the plate as well, with a .266 average and 33 RBI in 50 games played.
The designated hitter for the South squad will be Wingnuts' shortstop Ryan Khoury. This is his third season in Wichita and his first all-star selection, although he was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2012. Khoury is the Wingnuts' franchise record holder in runs scored, walks, and stolen bases. This year he is tied atop the leaderboard with 22 stolen bases and is second in bases on balls. He is hitting .332 and is second-best with an on-base percentage of .466.
The pitching staff will include closer Matt Nevarez, who is second in the American Association with 15 saves. His earned run average is currently at a miniscule 1.21. He has allowed a run in just two of his 23 appearances and has racked up 30 strikeouts in 22.1 innings. This is the right-hander's third season with the Nuts and first all-star selection.
Finally, Jason Van Skike, another right-handed hurler, will be participating in the showcase. The Gig Harbor, Washington native, in his first American Association campaign, began the year in the bullpen before earning a starting role. He has posted a 6-2 record and has an ERA of 2.36, which places him behind just one pitcher that has tossed enough innings to qualify. In 53.1 innings he has given up only 50 hits, struck out 29, and walked 13.
The Wichita Wingnuts' staff of manager Kevin Hooper, pitching coach Luke Robertson, and hitting coach Jose Amado will direct the South Division squad. Greg Tagert of Gary SouthShore will be at the helm for the North.
For information on season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Wingnuts' main office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.
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