TL1 Midland RockHounds

RockHounds Send Eight to Texas League All-Star Game

Published on June 15, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release


The RockHounds and Oakland Athletics will be well-represented when the Texas League All-Stars take the diamond at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, Texas, on June 30. Eight members of the 'Hounds have been named to take part in the league's annual mid-season classic.

Catcher Carson Blair, pitchers Ryan Dull and Nate Long, outfielder Chad Oberacker and first baseman Matt Olson were all named via the initial balloting. Joining them will be infielders Ryon Healy, Chad Pinder and Colin Walsh, who were added to the roster to replace players who have been promoted (or are otherwise unable to participate) since the voting took place.

Texas League President Tom Kayser announced the rosters today, with selections made by coaches, media, broadcasters and staff media relations directors. The game will match the North Division All-Stars against the South, with first pitch scheduled for 7:30 p.m. 

- Carson Blair is having a career year, hitting .282 and ranking among the league's top five in both slugging (.500) and on-base percentage (.401). The Argyle, Texas, native was signed by Oakland as a minor league free agent last November. Carson was originally selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 35th round of the 2008 draft out of Liberty Christian High School in Argyle and spent his first seven pro seasons on the Red Sox' farm.

- Ryan Dull has ranked among the league's top relief pitchers all season. A member of the RockHounds' Texas League championship club a year ago, the right-hander ranks among the league's top five relievers in opponent average (.178) and in base runners (8.10), walks (2.10) and strikeouts (10.80) per nine innings pitched. Ryan was selected by the A's in the 32nd round of the 2012 draft out of the University of North Carolina at Asheville.

- Nate Long is among the league's elite pitchers for the second consecutive season, in each case after moving into the rotation in mid-April. After leading the club to the league title in 2014, he is third in the TL with a 2.52 ERA this season and ranks among the league's top five in WHIP (1.21) and opponent average (.223). Nate, who makes his home in Bedford, Texas, was selected by the A's in the 26th round of the 2009 draft out of the University of Texas at Arlington.

- Chad Oberacker, also a member of the 2014 Texas League championship club, has had the finest season of his career, ranking among the league's top 10 hitters virtually all season. The Erie, Pennsylvania, native was selected by Oakland in the 25th round of the 2011 draft out of Tennessee Tech University.

- Matt Olson, rated one of Oakland's top two prospects (by virtually every source) entering the season, was selected by the A's with the 47th overall selection of the 2012 draft out of Parkview High School in Lilburn, Georgia.An outstanding defensive first baseman (he has also started 18 games in right field), Matt has ranked among the league leaders in on-base percentage, doubles and bases on balls (his 59 walks lead the TL by 13) throughout the season.

- Ryon Healy (replaces Frisco's Joey Gallo) has been among the RockHounds' most consistent hitters, reaching base in 51-of-61 games. Selected by the A's in the third round of the 2013 draft out of the University of Oregon, the West Hills, California, native is in just his third pro season (his second full year). He is rated Oakland's # 23 prospect by Baseball America.

- Chad Pinder (replaces San Antonio's Trea Turner) has been sidelined since June 4 (left hip), but is set to return to the 'Hounds line-up (the club has gone 1-8 in his absence). Chad had been the club's top hitter over the month prior to his injury, hitting .350 in his last 25 games. Rated Oakland's # 12 prospect entering the season, the 23-year-old (a Virginia native now making his home in Charleston, South Carolina) is in his third pro season (his second full year) after being selected by the A's in the in the Competitive Balance Round B of the 2013 draft out of Virginia Tech.

- Colin Walsh (replaces Corpus Christi's Tony Kemp) has had an outstanding season as the 'Hounds' second baseman, ranking among the Texas League's leaders in doubles (he leads the league with 19), extra-base hits, runs scored, walks and on-base percentage. Originally selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 13th round of the 2010 draft out of Stanford University, Colin played in 25 games for the RockHounds in 2014 before finishing the season with (Triple-A) Sacramento. His level of consistency this season has been remarkable, having now reached base in 35-of-his-last-38 games.

The RockHounds wrap up their current home stand tomorrow (Tuesday, June 16), then open a (season high) 12-game road trip, with two stops in San Antonio (June 17-20 and 25-28) and four games in Frisco (June 21-24). The road swing will mark the end of the Texas League first half and begin the second (June 22).

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