'Hounds Send "5 + 5" to Texas League All-Star Game
June 14, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
The RockHounds and Oakland Athletics will be well represented when the Texas League's best take the diamond for the circuit's annual All-Star Game, Tuesday, June 28, at Hammons Field in Springfield, Missouri.
Infielders Franklin Barreto, Matt Chapman and Wade Kirkland, catcher Beau Taylor and pitcher Corey Walter have been named to the South Division All-Star Team in balloting conducted among the league's managers, coaches, broadcasters and writers.
By virtue of guiding the RockHounds to the 2015 league championship, the club's field staff has been named to lead the South Division team - - - manager Ryan Christenson, pitching coach John Wasdin, hitting coach Brian McArn, Athletic Trainer Justin Whitehouse and strength & conditioning coach Henry Torres.
Franklin Barreto - Infielder
- Acquired by Oakland via trade from the Toronto Blue Jays on November 28, 2014
One of the youngest players in the (Double-A) Texas League (at age 20), Barreto is hitting .229 with five home runs and 21 RBI and is tied for third in the league with 14 stolen bases. The key player in the trade that sent(former RockHound and 2015 American League MVP) Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays, the Caracas, Venezuela, native is rated the A's top prospect by multiple sources, including Baseball America and MLB.com.
Matt Chapman - Infielder
- Selected by Oakland in the first round of the 2014 draft out of Cal State Fullerton
Chapman appeared in one game with the RockHounds at the end of the 2014 regular season (his first pro season) after an injury sidelined third baseman Jefry Marte. Chapman went on to be named Most Valuable Player in the Texas League playoffs, helping lead the 'Hounds to the league title. After spending last season with the (Advanced-A) Stockton Ports, "Chappy" is now in his first full Double-A season. He leads the Texas League with 15 home runs, ranks third in runs scored (42) and is tied for eighth with 34 RBI.
Wade Kirkland - Infielder
- Selected by Oakland in the 11th round of the 2010 draft out of Florida Southern College
While primarily a second baseman, Kirkland has (again) filled multiple roles for the RockHounds - - his remarkable 2016 resume includes a walk-off hit (in an extra-innings, 7-6, win over Corpus Christi, May 22 at Security Bank Ballpark), a save (in an 8-7 win in 14 innings at Corpus Christi on April 25) and a steal of home (June 10, also at the expense of the Hooks, at Corpus Christi). Since opening the season hitting .217 in April, Kirkland has bumped his batting up 61 points, hitting .313 since May 1.
Beau Taylor - Catcher
- Selected by Oakland in the fifth round of the 2011 draft out of the University of Central Florida
After spending parts of the last four seasons with the RockHounds (he was a member of both championship clubs), Taylor opened the 2016 season with the 'Hounds. In addition to a .267 average (two home runs and 20 RBI), he is tied for third among Texas League catchers, throwing out 33 percent of opposing base runners (20-of-60).
Corey Walter - Pitcher
- Selected by Oakland in the 28th round of the 2014 draft out of West Virginia University
After a breakout season with (Advanced-A) Stockton in 2015 (a 1.42 ERA with eight saves in 45 games), Walter opened 2016 in the RockHounds' bullpen before moving into the rotation on May 1 (following Daniel Mengden's promotion to Triple-A). He has been outstanding in both roles, posting a 3.00 earned run average in 14 games (eight starts). His ERA ranks 10th in the league and the right-hander has a three-to-one strikeouts-to-walks ratio, walking just nine batters while striking out 27 over 48 innings.
Ryon Healy would, almost certainly, have been named to the All-Star team, but was promoted to (AAA) Nashville in mid-May (and began the week hitting .351 with the Sounds). At the time of his call-up, he ranked among the leaders in (at least) 13 offensive categories, including batting average (.338), RBI (34) and home runs (8).
Oakland's third round selection in the 2013 draft out of the University of Oregon, Healy was named to the 2015 Texas League Postseason All-Star Team and a key member of the RockHounds' league championship club.
Texas League Stories from June 14, 2016
- Travs Complete Four-Game Sweep of NWA - Arkansas Travelers
- Cardinals Reclaim 1st Place with Wild 7-6 Comeback Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Drillers Fall from First with Disappointing Loss - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Swept in North Little Rock in 6-1 Loss - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Beck, Beck, Beck, Beck... and Gone - Midland RockHounds
- Beck's Walk-Off Blast Pushes Riders Past RockHounds - Frisco RoughRiders
- Four Missions Headed to TL All-Star Game - San Antonio Missions
- Four Travs Named Mid-Season All-Stars - Arkansas Travelers
- Six Cardinals Headline Texas League All-Star Rosters - Springfield Cardinals
- Nine Drillers Named to TL All-Star Squad - Tulsa Drillers
- Seven RoughRiders Named Texas League Mid-Season All-Stars - Frisco RoughRiders
- 'Hounds Send "5 + 5" to Texas League All-Star Game - Midland RockHounds
- Hooks Land Division-Leading 8 All-Stars - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Five Naturals Selected to Texas League All-Star Game - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Homestand Highlights: June 15 - June 22 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Riders Game Notes - 11:05 a.m. vs. Midland RockHounds - June 14, 2016 - Frisco RoughRiders
- RockHounds Rally Back to Ty(Ler) Frisco - Midland RockHounds
- RockHounds Score Eight Late Runs to Take Game Two - Frisco RoughRiders
- Yuhl, Tanielu Drive Hooks Past Missions - Corpus Christi Hooks
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