EL1 Akron RubberDucks

RubberDucks Land Five on All-Star Squad

Published on July 1, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


(Akron, Ohio)- Rosters for the 2015 Sullivan Tire Eastern League All-Star Classic were announced today, and five members of the Akron RubberDucks are on the Western Division team. The annual all-star game showcases the EL's top players in a game between teams from the league's Eastern and Western divisions.

In voting conducted by league managers, media members, and fans, 3B Yandy Diaz, OF Anthony Gallas, 2B Todd Hankins, RHP Jeff Johnson, and RHP Josh Martin have all been named to the 24-man EL West Squad. Diaz and Johnson were elected through league-sponsored, fan voting.

Diaz, 23, caught fire in June, hitting .330 for the month, and heads into the all-star game among the EL leaders in a number of categories. As of July 1st, his batting average of .305 ranks 8th in the league. He leads the circuit in games played (75), on-base percentage (.403) and walks (44). He has 21 multi-hit games this season, including a pair of four-hit efforts. He delivered a game-winning, walk-off single for a 4-3 win over New Britain on May 20th at Canal Park.

Gallas, 27, is one of the premier power-hitting prospects in the Indians organization. After a slow start to the season, Gallas also enjoyed a productive month of June, hitting .328, with five homers and 18 RBI. Overall, he leads the RubberDucks with seven home runs and is tops among active Akron players with 32 RBI. He leads the club with 19 doubles and has also legged out a pair of triples. Gallas homered in three consecutive games, June 9-11.

Hankins, 24, is a versatile infield and outfield prospect, who sees most of his action at second base, but has also shown the ability to roam center field with ease. Prior to a recent slump at the plate, Hankins was flirting with the .300-mark. At the time of his all-star selection, he is batting a solid .276, with five homers and 25 RBI. He leads the team and ranks tied for third in the EL with 16 stolen bases. Hankins also ranks 2nd in the league in games played (73) and at-bats (297), as of July 1st. He crafted a team-high 13-game hitting streak from April 27-May 10, during which time he hit .302.

Johnson, 25, has converted all 12 of his save chances at the back of the RubberDucks bullpen. This has been a comeback season for Johnson, who missed all of the 2014 season after Tommy John surgery in the fall of 2013. Johnson is 1-1, with a 1.52 ERA in 28 appearances this season. He has fanned 31 batters in 29 2/3 innings while only walking 12. He sports a WHIP of 0.94. Most impressively, Johnson has inherited nine base runners in crucial, late inning situations this season and has stranded all of them.

Martin, 25, has served a plethora of roles, including, long relief, set-up and even closer duties, and has excelled in every instance. He sports a sparkling 5-0 record with an equally sterling 1.07 ERA and two saves. In 24 total appearances, Martin has fanned 46 batters in 42 innings, allowing just 23 hits and 10 runs (five earned). Opposing hitters have managed a meager .152 batting average against Martin, which is second among all EL relievers. Like Johnson, Martin is perfect at stranding base runners, having left all 14 of his inherited runners on base.

The Akron quintet will join the EL West Squad in Portland, Maine, for the Sullivan Tire All-Star Classic on July 15th at 7:00 p.m. at Hadlock Field, home of the Portland Sea Dogs. The Western Division squad will be managed by Richmond's Jose Alguacil. For more information on the all-star game, visit www.akronrubberducks.com, www.easternleague.com, and www.seadogs.com.

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