SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Charleston's Tyler Austin Chosen for 2012 All-Star Futures Game

Published on June 22, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC - Charleston RiverDogs outfielder Tyler Austin has been selected to play for Team USA in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game on Sunday, July 8 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City during Major League Baseball's All-Star Week.

Austin has already displayed his All-Star abilities this season, as he started in Tuesday's South Atlantic League All-Star Game that the RiverDogs hosted.

Austin becomes the fourth RiverDogs player to take part in the game since the team became a Yankees affiliate in 2005. The list includes pitcher Manny Banuelos (2009), catcher Jesus Montero (2008) and outfielder Jose Tabata (2006).

"It's a great honor," said Austin. "I'm very excited to go out there and play with all of those great players. I'm excited to represent both the Charleston RiverDogs and the New York Yankees organization."

So far this season, Austin has been an offensive force in the RiverDogs lineup. At the All-Star break, he was leading all of Low-A ball with a .655 slugging percentage, leading the SAL with 39 extra base hits, tied for the league lead with 14 homers, and hitting .336, good for third in the SAL.

"I'm really happy for Tyler," said RiverDogs manager Carlos Mendoza. "He's a guy who works as hard as anybody and he deserves it. He's having a fantastic season and he's been a very consistent hitter. He's also been very good in the outfield. I'm excited to see him play and represent both Charleston and the Yankees."

This is his first season in Charleston after he played for the Gulf Coast League Yankees and the Staten Island Yankees in 2011. Austin was originally a 13th round draft choice by the Yankees from Heritage High School and is a native of Conyers, Georgia.

The All-Star Futures Game is a nine-inning game involving some of the best prospects from the United States and from countries around the world. The players compete in a game that pits the US Team against the World Team. This will be the 14th edition of the Futures Game which, in the past, has included big league stars such as Alfonso Soriano, Jose Reyes and Grady Sizemore.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 22, 2012


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