Four Knights Named to 2015 Triple-A All-Star Game
July 2, 2015 - International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - Charlotte third baseman Matt Davidson, outfielder Trayce Thompson, and pitchers Erik Johnson, and Zach Phillips, have been named to the 28th Annual First National Bank Triple-A All-Star Game, presented by Gildan. The Charlotte foursome will represent the Knights and the International League against the Pacific Coast League All-Stars at Werner Park in Omaha, Nebraska on Wednesday, July 15.
The Knights are one of just two IL teams with four All-Stars, along with the Norfolk Tides. Both Thompson (outfield) and Davidson (DH) were elected to start the game, while Johnson and Phillips were selected. The 2015 International League All-Star squad is made up of 13 elected players who have received the most votes from ballots submitted by club's field managers and general managers (1/3), members of the media (1/3), and online fan voting (1/3). The elected players are joined by 17 additional All-Stars selected by the International League office.
Davidson, 24, is currently tied for the International League lead in home runs (13) and has 41 RBIs -- the fifth-highest total in the league this season. Overall, the Yucaipa, CA native is hitting .234 with 68 hits, 35 runs scored, 12 doubles, 13 home runs and 41 RBIs in 78 games for the Knights. In 2013 -- as a member of the Reno Aces -- Davidson won the Triple-A All-Star Home Run Derby at Aces Ballpark in Reno, NV. The 2013 Pacific Coast League All-Star's Home Run Derby title came just a day after competing in the Futures Game at Citi Field in New York and winning the game's Most Valuable Player Award.
Thompson, 24, is currently first in the IL in games played (79), second in runs scored (43), third in at-bats (294), fifth in slugging percentage (.452), and third in extra-base hits (31). In his first full season at the Triple-A level, Thompson is hitting .272 with 80 hits, 43 runs scored, 18 doubles, four triples, nine home runs, 33 RBIs and eight stolen bases over 79 games.
Johnson, 25, is 7-5 with a 2.86 ERA in 15 games (14 starts) this season with the Knights. He currently leads the IL with 96 strikeouts and his 2.86 ERA is the ninth lowest mark in the league. Johnson, who won IL Pitcher of the Week honors earlier this season after going 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA over two starts (14.0 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 20 SO), is averaging 10.21 strikeouts per nine innings -- also tops in the IL this season. The Mountain View, CA native has allowed just two runs (one earned) over his last 32.0 innings pitched.
Phillips, 28, is 1-0 with five saves and a 2.14 ERA in 27 games out of Charlotte's bullpen this season. The Sacramento, CA native has allowed just three earned runs over his last 17 games (20.1 IP) and has not allowed a run in 21 of his 27 games this season. Phillips was signed by the Chicago White Sox as a free agent on December 9, 2014. He appeared in nine games in relief with Hiroshima of the Japanese Central League last season.
The 2015 IL team will be managed by Billy Gardner Jr. (Syracuse). Joining Gardner in the dugout will be Kevin Boles (Pawtucket), Tim Doherty (Rochester), and Bryan Housand (Indianapolis). Former Knights Jhan Marinez (Durham) and Gregory Infante (Buffalo) were also selected to this year's team.
BB&T Ballpark will host the 29th Annual Triple-A All-Star Game in Uptown Charlotte on Wednesday, July 13, 2016. Tickets for the 2016 Triple-A All-Star Game and corresponding events will go on sale at a later date.
The Knights return home to BB&T Ballpark tonight for a three-game, two-day series against the Gwinnett Braves (Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves). The club will play a day-night doubleheader on Friday, July 3 with game one starting at 12:05 p.m. and game two at 7:05 p.m. Single-game tickets for all games this season are available by phone at 704-274-8282, in person at the BB&T Ballpark Ticket Office, or online at charlotteknights.com.
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