Pinto Adds De Leon, Rosario to All-Star Team
Published on July 7, 2016 under Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release
MARION, ILL. (JULY 7, 2016) - The Southern Illinois Miners are pleased to announce that manager MIKE PINTO, who will manage the West Division all-stars at the 2016 Frontier League Y'All-Star Game this coming Wednesday, has added two Miners to the team in first baseman ALEX DE LEON and shortstop FRANCISCO ROSARIO. The additions give the Miners a grand total of eight all-stars, the second-most in a single season in franchise history.
De Leon has been one of the most-prolific run-producers in the Frontier League this season, with seven homers and 36 RBIs to go along with 10 doubles, a .289 batting average and 33 walks. The slugger from Woodland Hills, California has also performed well on defense, with just two errors on the season as the Miners' primary first baseman, and ranks inside the league's top-10 in on-base percentage, walks and RBIs.
"Alex has had a great first half and has been a force not only with a power bat and as a run producer, but he has played exceptional defense as well," Pinto said. "He is among the division leaders in both home runs and RBIs and will do a great job of representing the Miners at this showcase event."
When it comes to defense, few possess the ability and range of Rosario, who came to Southern Illinois after spending 2015 with the Frontier Greys. The Okeechobee, Florida native has consistently made some of the toughest plays at shortstop look routine while playing a huge role in helping the Miners turn a league-best 55 double plays this season through Wednesday's games and amass a league-best .984 fielding percentage. He has also hit .236 with 11 RBIs and 20 walks in 43 games entering Wednesday for good measure.
"Francisco is arguably one of the very best defensive shortstops to play the position in the 10 years I have been in the Frontier League," Pinto added. "He routinely makes exceptional plays look easy, and has been a run-preventer for the Miners all year. He has the kind of defensive skills that change games."
In addition to De Leon and Rosario, Florence third baseman Taylor Oldham was also selected to participate in the all-star game by Pinto, who will be managing the West Division all-star team for the third time in his career as Miners manager, having also done so in 2008 and 2010.
The Southern Illinois Miners are the back-to-back Frontier League East Division Champions and the 2012 Frontier League Champions. They have been awarded the Frontier League Organization of the Year award three times since their inception, and also set a new Frontier League attendance record in 2007, their inaugural season. For ticket information, contact the Rent One Park box office at (618) 998-8499.
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