Hosmer, Ortiz Named Year-End All-Stars
Published on September 2, 2010 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release
Wilmington, DE - First baseman Eric Hosmer and outfielder Adrian Ortiz have assembled a pair of great seasons, with each man bouncing back from a rough 2009. On Thursday afternoon, the duo received recognition for its superior play by making the Carolina League's year-end All-Star team as named by the league office. Hosmer was named the All-Star first baseman, while Ortiz made the list as a utility outfielder. Each club's general manager, field manager and one selected media member combine for the voting panel.
Hosmer, who was named the Blue Rocks Player of the Year by the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, batted .354 with 29 doubles, six triples, seven home runs and 51 RBIs for Wilmington before his promotion to Double-A Northwest Arkansas. After struggling to a .206 batting average over just 97 at-bats as a 19-year-old in the Carolina League's most pitcher-friendly ballpark in 2009, Hosmer will become the first Blue Rock to ever win the CL batting title. As of Thursday's league leaders, Hosmer bests his closest competitor by 37 points. Since his promotion, the Florida native has hit .313 with 12 homers and 32 RBIs in 45 games for the Naturals. The third-overall pick in the draft by Kansas City in 2008 went 4-for-5 at the Futures All-Star Game on July 11 in Anaheim.
Ortiz, a fifth-round choice in 2007 by Kansas City, struggled to hit .238 with the 2009 Blue Rocks before a mid-July demotion to Low-A Burlington. He has rebounded in a big way, batting .287 as the team's everyday left fielder. The former Pepperdine star's contact clip ranked 10th in the loop at the start of Thursday. The speedster from Puerto Rico also has 30 stolen bases, tying him for the team lead, and a league-best 13 outfield assists while not committing a single error.
Embroiled in a tight playoff race, the Blue Rocks host the Myrtle Beach Pelicans for a series finale tonight at 6:35 p.m. The night includes a tribute to Scrapple, courtesy of Rapa Scrapple and Habbersett Brands. Gates open at 5 p.m. for a happy hour with drink and appetizer specials. For tickets, call 302-888-BLUE, or visit bluerocks.com.
Carolina League Stories from September 2, 2010
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- Frederick Looses in Extras - Frederick Keys
- P-Nats' Magic Number at Two After Win in Salem - Potomac Nationals
- Potomac Pounds Salem 10-3 - Salem RidgeYaks
- Kinston Wins Their Ninth Straight Game, Magic Number Down to One - Kinston Indians
- Schlehuber, Johnson Jack Pelicans to Finale Win - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Hotchkiss Named CL Pitcher of the Year - Hill City Howlers
- Hosmer, Ortiz Named Year-End All-Stars - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Dash Well-Represented Among Post-Season All-Stars - Winston-Salem Dash
- Burns and Gardner Are Carolina League All-Stars - Kinston Indians
- Avery, Welty Earn Post-Season Honors - Frederick Keys
- Moore Named Carolina League's Most Valuable Player - Potomac Nationals
- Winston Blows out Cats Again - Winston-Salem Dash
- Dash Pummel Cats, End Postseason Hopes - Hill City Howlers
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