Narvaez Becomes 38th Dash Alumnus to Reach MLB
Published on July 6, 2016 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Catcher Omar Narvaez, a Midseason and Year-End All-Star in the Carolina League in 2015, has earned his first promotion to the Major Leagues, the Chicago White Sox announced Wednesday. Narvaez becomes the 346th Winston-Salem alumnus to climb to the Majors, while he is the 38th to accomplish the feat during the Dash era (2009-present).
After playing 47 games for Winston-Salem in 2014, the Venezuela native shined both offensively and defensively for the Dash in 2015. The former Tampa Bay Rays product hit .274 and accumulated an impressive .352 on-base percentage. The backstop also threw out 35.4 percent of would-be base-stealers, the second-best rate in the CL. Narvaez also provided one of the highlights of the season, smacking a walk-off single on July 4 at BB&T Ballpark. He did this in front of 8,009 fans, the third-highest attendance mark in the facility's history.
This season, the 24-year-old began the year with Double-A Birmingham and played 13 contests for the Barons before getting called up to Triple-A Charlotte on April 26. With the Knights, Narvaez saw action in 41 games and posted a .245 batting average with two home runs and 11 RBIs.
Narvaez is the seventh Winston-Salem alumnus to don a big league uniform for the first time in 2016. Shortstop Tim Anderson, outfielder Jason Coats and right-hander Tyler Danish all joined the parent club in the span of a week in early June. The White Sox also promoted right-hander Michael Ynoa and catcher Kevan Smith, though neither appeared in a game before returning to the Minor Leagues.
Righty J.B. Wendelken, whom the White Sox traded this offseason as part of the Brett Lawrie deal, joined Oakland's bullpen in early May. Wendelken was only the second former Dash star to make his Major League debut with someone other than the White Sox.
After a postponement on Tuesday, the four-game set against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans continues with a doubleheader on Wednesday. The first contest will be at 5:30 p.m., and both games on Wednesday will be seven innings. Gates will open for all ticket holders at 5 p.m. For tickets to this doubleheader or the finale of the homestand, a Lowes Foods Thirsty Thursday, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.
The Winston-Salem Dash are the Class A-Advanced minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. To purchase tickets and for more information, please call (336) 714-2287 or visit www.wsdash.com.
Carolina League Stories from July 6, 2016
- Schrock Plays Hero, Potomac Walks off with 4-3 Win - Potomac Nationals
- Pelicans Rally Past Winston-Salem for Twin Bill - Winston-Salem Dash
- Long Ball Drives Carolina to Doubleheader Sweep - Salem Red Sox
- Rocks Lose in Walk-Off Fashion - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Chang's Career-High Six RBIs Lead Way in 11-7 Win - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Chang's Career Night Beats Keys 11-7 - Frederick Keys
- Mudcats Walk to 5-1 Win in Twinbill Opener - Salem Red Sox
- Six-Run Third Dooms Dash in Doubleheader Opener - Winston-Salem Dash
- Wilkerson Promoted to Baysox - Frederick Keys
- Bierfeldt Tabbed Carolina League Player of the Month - Frederick Keys
- Wilkerson Promoted to Baysox - Frederick Keys
- Bierfeldt Tabbed Carolina League Player of the Month - Frederick Keys
- Narvaez Becomes 38th Dash Alumnus to Reach MLB - Winston-Salem Dash
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
