Four Travs Slated to Play in 2012 Texas League All-Star Game
Published on June 14, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - As announced by the Texas League on Thursday, June 14th, Roberto Lopez, Ariel Pena, A.J. Schugel, and Jean Segura will represent the Arkansas Travelers in the 2012 Texas League All-Star Game on June 28, 2012 at the home field of the Tulsa Drillers, ONEOK Field.
Pena and Schugel receive the nod for their impressive work out of the Travs' starting rotation. The two are among the top-5 of the Texas League in ERA.
Schugel currently leads the starting rotation and is ranked fourth in the Texas League with a 2.96 ERA. He also ranks fourth in the TL in opponent's batting average as hitters are hitting a meager .219 off Schugel. The Highlands Ranch, Colo. native lowered his season ERA to under 3.00 after he pitched a gem in his last outing against Springfield (June 11th), working seven complete innings one earned run on three hits and four strikeouts. Schugel has allowed just one earned run in six of his last eight starts.
A plus-fastball combined with a wipeout slider has made Pena one of the top strikeout artists in the Texas League. Pena's 74 strikeouts in 77.2 innings of work have resulted in the Texas League's fourth highest strikeout per nine innings pitched ratio among starting pitchers. The Los Jovillos, Dominican Republic native's 3.01 ERA ranks him fifth in the Texas League.
No strangers to All-Star Game selections in their professional baseball careers, Lopez and Segura garner the honor at the AA level for the first time as reserves.
Filled with talent, but riddled with injuries at points in his career, Segura, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's no. 2 prospect according to Baseball America, has played in all but one game for the Travs so far this season, and the consistent presence of Segura in the Travs lineup has benefitted both. After starting the season batting third for the Travs, Segura transitioned into the leadoff role and he has flourished at the top of the order, batting .300 (51-for-170) in that spot in the lineup. Reaching base at an overall clip of .325, Segura does not make a habit of staying on any particular base long as he ranks second in the Texas League in stolen bases with 23 on the season. The San Juan, Dominican Republic native's hottest stretch at the plate came in five-game span (May 28th-June 2nd) in which he collected no fewer than two hits in each game. The run began with a 4- for-5 game against San Antonio on May 28th. By the end of the run, in which he hit .480 (12-for-25), Segura raised his average from .258 to .284.
A fixture in the Travs middle of the lineup, Lopez receives the All-Star nod as a reserve outfielder. The University of Southern California product has played both corner outfield positions for the Travs and has also seen some time as the Travs first baseman. Lopez is the team leader in two offensive categories so far this season. He leads the club in doubles with 18 and runs batted in with 32. His 18 doubles also put him tied for third in the Texas League.
Texas League Stories from June 14, 2012
- Drillers Open Trip with 5th Straight Win - Tulsa Drillers
- Spectacular Double Play Ends Traveler Rally in Ninth - Arkansas Travelers
- Pair of Two-Run Innings Result in Frisco Win, Magic Number Down to 1 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Cardinals Fall to Naturals 4-3 - Springfield Cardinals
- Naturals Hold On, Snap Skid - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Game Notes, June 14 at Frisco - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Eight Roughriders Named to All-Star Team - Frisco RoughRiders
- Seven Hooks Voted to South All-Star Squad - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Six Naturals Selected for TL All-Star Game - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Four Travs Slated to Play in 2012 Texas League All-Star Game - Arkansas Travelers
- Three Missions Named To Texas League All-Star Team - San Antonio Missions
- Texas League All Stars Announced - Midland RockHounds
- RockHounds Land Seven on All-Star Team - Midland RockHounds
- Drillers, Top Prospects Fill All-Star Rosters - Tulsa Drillers
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