FL Washington Wild Things

Chirino, Barrett, Valadez Added to West All-Star Team

Published on July 10, 2014 under Frontier League (FL)
Washington Wild Things News Release


(Sauget, Illinois)- In advance of next week's Frontier League All-Star Game, West Division manager Phil Warren has selected Normal Cornbelters infielder Santiago Chirino, Gateway reliever Richard Barrett and Schaumburg catcher Michael Valadez as the final three members of the division's All-Star team. Meanwhile, East manager Bart Zeller has selected Washington pitcher Al Yevoli, Florence third baseman Sam Eberle and Lake Erie pitcher Jordan McCoy to occupy his final three spots.

Chirino has been an offensive force for the CornBelters, hitting at a

.333 clip. The 23 year old Venezuelan returns to Normal for his second season this year after 6 seasons in the Texas Rangers system. Chirino has appeared in each of Normal's 46 games so far this year. Chirino also boasts more extra base hits (11) than strikeouts (10) this season. This marks Chirino's first career Frontier League All-Star selection.

Barrett has been Warren's go to man in the back end of the bullpen for the Grizzlies this season. Making his second consecutive Frontier League All-Star team, Barrett has recorded 11 saves, striking out 18 while walking just 3. His ERA sits at a miniscule 1.42 while just 8 opposing hitters have reached via hits. Barrett is in his fifth season in the Frontier League. Barrett recorded the save in the 2013 edition of the Frontier League All-Star Game.

Rounding out Warren's selections is Schaumburg catcher Michael Valadez. Valadez is in his third season with the Boomers and third in the Frontier League. The 28 year old Los Angeles native will appear in his second consecutive All-Star Game, thanks in large part to his outstanding defensive ability. Now in his 8th professional season, the Lee University native is a former Cleveland Indians draft pick, a 26th round pick in 2007. Valadez was with the Indians organization until 2009 when he made his independent baseball debut.

On the East side, Bart Zeller, like Warren, used a selection to bring one of his own relievers, Al Yevoli. The 24 year old lefty has spent most of the past 3 seasons with the Wild Things, also spending time in the Cubs organization in 2013. A Tennessee Wesleyan grad, Yevoli has been exceptionally reliable for the Wild Things this season and is on pace to set numerous career highs.

Sam Eberle is in his first Frontier League season, after parts of 2 seasons with the San Francisco Giants organization. The 24 year old Florence third baseman has hit .319 for the Freedom and has 15 extra base hits to go with 23 RBI. A Jacksonville State product, Eberle has 28 walks to 29 strikeouts, displaying his outstanding patience at the plate. Eberle, a Chattanooga, Tennessee native was a 25th round choice of the Giants in the 2012 draft.

Lake Erie 23 year old righthander Jordan McCoy has been lights out for the Crushers in the bullpen this season. With an ERA of 1.83, he has allowed just 10 hits and 4 runs in his 21 games with Lake Erie. A Nicholls State University alum, McCoy has also struck out 18 this season. McCoy is a native of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Also announced today were the additions of Florence manager and 2014 Frontier League Hall of Fame inductee Fran Riordan as a coach for the East division and the addition of Normal manager Brooks Carey as a coach for the West. In addition, Phil Warren will bring coaches Zach Borowiak and Randy Martz as well as trainer Geof Manzo, all from Gateway. Zeller brings coaches Bob Bozzuto and Kevin Grybowski and has invited Florence trainer Bryan Jett.

Home Run Derby participants will be announced on Sunday and starting pitchers on Monday.

The festivities surrounding this year's event include the induction of the inaugural class of Frontier League Hall of Famers, a home run derby, a Battle of the Sexes against the Chicago Bandits of National Professional Fastpitch and more. Tickets for each event can be purchased on the at www.gatewaygrizzlies.com or by calling the Gateway offices at (618) 337-3000.

The Frontier League is entering its 22nd season in 2014 and features 14 teams stretching from Pennsylvania to Missouri and from Kentucky to northern Michigan. The Frontier League annually advances the most players to MLB organizations of any of the independent leagues, and 25 former Frontier League players have played in the Major Leagues.

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