MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Five Whitecaps to Represent Host City at All-Star Game

June 4, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps will be well-represented when the 50th annual Midwest League All-Star Classic comes to Fifth Third Ballpark on Tuesday, June 17.

Five members of the Whitecaps have been named to the Eastern Division roster, the second-largest contingent of All-Stars from around the league. The Midwest League unveiled the rosters on Wednesday based on a vote of league managers.

The 2014 Midwest League All-Star Classic, presented by Amway, is less than two weeks away. Gates will open at 4:00 p.m. prior to the 7:00 p.m. ballgame on Tuesday, June 17. Pre-game promotions include batting practice, an autograph session with both teams and a yet-to-be announced special contest. It is the third time West Michigan has hosted the regional showcase and the first time since 2003.

Representing the host city are starting pitchers Austin Kubitza and Buck Farmer, relief pitcher Joe Mantiply, second baseman Javier Betancourt and outfielder Wynton Bernard. The Eastern Division roster will also be guided by the West Michigan field staff consisting of manager Andrew Graham, pitching coach Mike Henneman and hitting coach Nelson Santovenia.

The Whitecaps' pitching staff has been one of the league's best all season long, ranking second with a 3.11 ERA and topping the circuit with a whopping 529 strikeouts.

Austin Kubitza has already been named the Midwest League Pitcher of the Week on two occasions. The 22-year-old Texan is 5-0 with a 2.02 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 58 innings, limiting opposing hitters to a .193 batting average. A fourth-round pick out of Rice University last summer, Kubitza ranks second in the league in strikeouts and third in the league in ERA.

The only Midwest Leaguer with more strikeouts than Kubitza is his teammate, Farmer. A fifth-round pick out of Georgia Tech in 2013, Farmer is 5-4 with a 2.81 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 57.2 innings. The 23-year-old right-hander already has two double-digit strikeout games this season, including a career-high 12 punch-outs on April 30 at Lake County.

Reliever Joe Mantiply has also been lights-out this season. The 6-foot-4 left-hander out of Virginia Tech is 4-1 with a 2.00 ERA and four saves through 19 appearances. Opponents are batting just .197 against Mantiply, who has 37 strikeouts and just nine walks through 36 innings of work.

Representing the Whitecaps' offense are Betancourt and Bernard, both of whom were selected as reserve players.

Betancourt, a 19-year-old prospect from Venezuela, hit the ground running upon reaching West Michigan at the tender young age of 18. He is the only player in the league that has played all 58 scheduled games and is tied for second in the Midwest League with 68 hits. Betancourt is batting .275 with two home runs, 17 RBI and 30 runs scored while leading the Whitecaps with 21 multi-hit games and playing superb defense.

Bernard's breakout campaign continues after a tumultuous off-season in which he was released by the San Diego Padres before flying to a Detroit Tigers' tryout and being signed just a month before the season. The toolsy 23-year-old outfielder is hitting .294 with 19 extra-base hits, 18 stolen bases, three home runs and 15 RBI.

The Whitecaps continue their playoff push on Wednesday night with a 7:00 p.m. first pitch against the Great Lakes Loons. RHP Chad Green (0-2, 3.64) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Brandon Martinez (1-0, 2.86) of Great Lakes. There will be an appearance by Roary from the Detroit Lions and post-game Family Fare fireworks. Season, group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps' front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

Check out the West Michigan Whitecaps Statistics



Midwest League Stories from June 4, 2014


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