EL1 Portland Sea Dogs

Six Sea Dogs Selected to Baseball America's "Best Tools" List

August 18, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release


Portland, Maine- Baseball America has published their annual "Best Tools" survey and six Sea Dogs have been recognized as having the best tools in the Eastern League. Sea Dogs' Manager Arnie Beyeler was named the league's "Best Manager Prospect", while Sea Dogs' players Ray Chang, Jose Iglesias, Che-Hsuan Lin, Anthony Rizzo & Nate Spears were also honored. Baseball America surveys Eastern League managers to compile the list.

The Sea Dogs topped the Eastern League list with six selections. Altoona was second with four players named to the list.

Beyeler, 46, was named the "Best Manager Prospect" in the Eastern League. Beyeler has notched a franchise record 278 career wins in a Sea Dogs uniform. In his record fourth season at the helm of the Sea Dogs, Beyeler has the Sea Dogs at a 58-63 record. He led the Sea Dogs into the playoffs in 2007 and 2008. In his career, Beyeler holds a winning percentage of .503 (630-622) with stops in Portland, Short-Season Single-A Lowell, and Single-A Augusta in the Boston organization and Single-A Stockton and Single-A Bakersfield in the Texas organization.

Nate Spears, 25, was rated to have the "Best Strike Zone Judgment" in the Eastern League. Spears, who was named an Eastern League All-Star earlier this season is tied for the Eastern League lead in walks with 69 and has a .381 On-Base Percentage. The second baseman is also third in the league with 84 runs scored.

One of three Portland infielders to be recognized for their excellence in the field is Ray Chang, who garnered "Best Defensive Third Baseman" honors. Chang, also an Eastern League All-Star selection, has displayed safe hands at the hot corner this season. He has a .985 fielding percentage in 80 games at third base, committing just three errors in 197 chances. Chang also leads the team with a .305 average.

Shortstop Jose Iglesias was voted the "Best Defensive Shortstop" in the league. Iglesias, 20, has played in just 40 games this season due to a thumb injury suffered on May 29th. However, he has still managed to record 98 assists and 46 putouts in 151 chances, for a .954 fielding percentage. Entering the season Baseball America rated him as the "Best Defensive Infielder" in the Red Sox farm system.

Anthony Rizzo, 21, was named "Best Defensive First Baseman" with a .982 fielding percentage at first base. Since his promotion from Single-A Salem on May 10th, Rizzo has played in 88 games at first, he has recorded 762 putouts, 69 assists, and 15 errors. Rizzo is hitting at a .272 clip with a team high 16 home runs.

Centerfielder Che-Hsuan Lin was recognized as the "Best Defensive Outfielder" in the poll. Lin, 21, has a strong arm and a knack for getting great jumps on balls out to the outfield. The native of Hwa-Lian, Taiwan has made just three errors in 107 games this season for a .990 fielding percentage. He also has 13 assists. Entering the season Baseball America rated him as the "Best Defensive Infielder" in the Red Sox farm system.

The August 23rd through September 5th issue of Baseball America with the complete lists of "Best Tools" at all levels of Minor and Major League Baseball is currently on sale at newsstands. For more information log on to www.baseballamerica.com.

Tickets are available for all remaining 2010 Sea Dogs' home games. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 or online at www.seadogs.com. The Sea Dogs are Maine's most affordable professional sports entertainment.

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Eastern League Stories from August 18, 2010


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