SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

Four BlueClaws to South Atlantic League All-Star Game

Published on June 7, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


LAKEWOOD, NJ - Four BlueClaws will represent the Northern Division as part of the 2010 South Atlantic League All-Star Game on June 22nd in Greenville, SC.

Pitchers Josh Zeid and Nick Hernandez join shortstop Jonathan Villar and second baseman Jeremy Barnes as South Atlantic League All-Stars, it was announced by League President Eric Krupa on Monday.

Villar, 19, will start at shortstop for the Northern Division All-Stars. He is batting .294 with 22 stolen bases, which ranks him third in the league. He has stolen home on three separate occasions this season, including in Sunday's game. Signed as an amateur free agent from La Vega, Dominican Republic, Villar is the 22nd ranked player in the system per Baseball America.

"Jonathan has played very well all year and is very deserving," said BlueClaws manager Mark Parent. "He's been a very consistent player offensively and on the bases and has a chance to be a very good player."

Zeid, 23, is 3-2 with a 2.94 ERA and team leading seven saves. He was the Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month in April, when he did not allow an earned run. A 10th round pick in 2009 out of Tulane, Zeid went 8-5 last year as a starter for Williamsport.

"Josh has done a great job coming out of the bullpen this year, in what's been a new role for him," said Parent. "He's pitched frequently on back to back days and handled everything very well."

Hernandez, 21, is 3-1 with a 1.61 ERA for Lakewood this year. He has twice been named Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Week and took a no-hitter into the 8th inning on May 16th at Greensboro. Hernandez has been on the disabled list since May 21st. He was a 12th round pick last year (University of Tennessee) and went 8-1 with Williamsport in 2009.

"From day one, Nick has been a tremendous starting pitcher for us," said Parent. "He goes deep into games, throws strikes, and clearly has been one of the league's best pitchers."

Barnes, 23, is batting .296 with one home run and 22 RBIs this year as Lakewood's everyday second baseman. Drafted in the 11th round last year from the University of Notre Dame, Barnes hit .287 with four home runs with Williamsport in 2009.

"Jeremy has been a key part of our lineup all season long," said Parent. "He's a very well rounded player and has gotten a lot of big hits for us this year."

The BlueClaws had six All-Stars in 2009 and have had 34, including Ryan Howard, Kyle Drabek and Jason Donald over their first ten seasons.

The BlueClaws are in their 10th season of providing family fun and affordable entertainment at the Jersey Shore. They have led the South Atlantic League in attendance in each of their first nine seasons.

Tickets for all remaining home games are on sale by calling 732-901-7000 or online at BlueClaws.com.

Check out the Jersey Shore BlueClaws Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 7, 2010


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