Smith & Suarez Honored by Texas League
Published on August 27, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
North Little Rock, AR - The Texas League Announced, Thursday, that LHP Nate Smith and RHP Albert Suarez were named 2015 Texas League Post-Season All-Stars, and Smith was tabbed the Texas League Pitcher of the Year.
Smith, 23, went 8-4 with a 2.48 ERA over 17 starts prior to being promoted to Triple-A Salt Lake on August 5. In 101.2 innings, Smith allowed 31 runs (28 earned) on 82 hits with 28 walks and 81 strikeouts. At the time of his promotion, Smith led the Texas League in ERA, WHIP (1.08), fewest baserunners per nine innings (10.00) and batting average against (.216), and was tied for second in wins. Over Smith's final seven starts, the Westchester, OH native surrendered only four runs over 44.2 innings. The 6-foot-3, 205 pound Smith held lefties to a .179 batting average while opponents leading off innings hit only .192. Smith also held opponents to a .178 mark with runners in scoring position and .139 with runners in scoring position with two outs. Smith, a product of Furman University, was also named a Texas League Mid Season All-Star and pitched for Team USA in the 2015 Pan Am games in Toronto. Smith was selected in the eighth round of the 2013 draft by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Suarez, 25, is 9-9 with a 3.13 ERA in 24 starts for Arkansas this season. In 143.2 innings of work, the 6-foot-3, 235 pound Suarez has allowed 60 runs (50 earned) on 132 hits with 31 walks and 110 strikeouts. Suarez leads the Texas League in strikeouts, is second in batting average against and fewest walks per nine innings (1.94), tied for second in wins and WHIP (1.13), and fourth in ERA. The San Felix, VZ native has posted a 1.73 ERA in August and has held opponents leading off innings to a .161 batting average. Suarez was also named a Texas League Mid Season All-Star. Suarez was signed by the Angels after the 2014 season after spending six years in the Rays organization.
The Arkansas Travelers have won seven games in a row, tied for the longest active winning streak in Minor League Baseball, and sit four games ahead of the Springfield Cardinals in the Texas League North second half standings with 12 games remaining in the regular season. Arkansas will play the final two games of a four-game set vs. Tulsa Thursday and Friday before hitting the road for seven. Thursday is Clunker Car Night with 11 cars being given away thanks to Arkansas State Police, and Friday night features postgame fireworks presented by XFINITY. For tickets and promotional information visit www.travs.com.
Texas League Stories from August 27, 2015
- Drillers Snap Losing Skid - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Edge Cardinals for Third Straight Win - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Robinson Powers Riders in 4-1 Victory - Frisco RoughRiders
- Tilson, Ohlman and Reyes Named Postseason All-Stars - Springfield Cardinals
- Chad Pinder Named Texas League Player of the Year - Midland RockHounds
- Linares Texas League Manager of Year - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Fuenmayor, Dziedzic Named Texas League Post-Season All Stars - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Smith & Suarez Honored by Texas League - Arkansas Travelers
- Asencio & Rea Earn TL Post-Season Honors - San Antonio Missions
- Martinez, Williams & McMahon Receive Post-Season Honors - Frisco RoughRiders
- Drillers Return to Tulsa for Final 2015 Homestand - Tulsa Drillers
- The Lee Corso Theory: "Not So Fast, My Friend" - Midland RockHounds
- Mayfield Mashes Midland - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Arkansas Wins Seventh Straight Wednesday - Arkansas Travelers
- Tulsa Playoff Chances Take Hit with 2-1 Loss - Tulsa Drillers
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