Smokies Hitting Coach Desi Wilson Named to All-Star Futures Game Coaching Staff
Published on June 25, 2015 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
KODAK - Tennessee Smokies hitting coach Desi Wilson has been named to the Team USA coaching staff for the 2015 Sirius XM All-Star Futures Game, as announced by Major League Baseball on Thursday. The game will take place on Sunday, July 12, with Wilson joining two former 2015 Smokies on the Team USA roster in relief pitcher Carl Edwards Jr. and catcher Kyle Schwarber.
Wilson is currently in his third season as hitting coach with the Smokies, with the club entering Southern League play today pacing the circuit in walks (274), in addition to second in runs scored (323) and third in on-base percentage (.339). In addition, Tennessee's offense over Wilson's previous two campaigns has combined to lead all Southern League teams in batting average (.256), hits (2,342), doubles (516), home runs (217), total bases (3,645) and slugging percentage (.398).
The Arizona native has also worked with many of not just the Chicago Cubs' top position player prospects, but some of the elite position player prospects in baseball overall, in his time with the Smokies, including 2014 Minor League Baseball Player of the Year Kris Bryant, as well as fellow current Cubs Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Jorge Soler. Wilson is currently in his eighth season in the Cubs' organization, previously holding the same capacity with High-A Daytona (20120, Short-Season Boise (2009, 11) and the Mesa Cubs (2008, 10).
Coming into this season, Carl Edwards Jr. was ranked by Baseball America as the 38th-best overall prospect in baseball, in addition to the fifth-best Cubs farmhand. The right-hander began the 2015 campaign with the Smokies, accumulating a 2-2 record and 2.66 ERA (7 ER in 23.2 IP) before being promoted to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs on May 29. Since joining the I-Cubs, Edwards Jr. owns no record and 3.27 ERA (4 ER in 11.0 IP) in seven appearances. The South Carolina native was acquired by the Cubs from the Texas Rangers in a July 22, 2013 trade that also included infielder Mike Olt, as well as pitchers Justin Grimm and Neil Ramirez, in exchange for right-hander Matt Garza, and was selected by Texas in the 48th round of the 2011 MLB Draft.
Kyle Schwarber also began the 2015 season in Tennessee, and was rated the 19th-best overall prospect prior to this season by Baseball America, in addition to the fourth-best Cubs farmhand. In 58 games with the Smokies, the left-handed slugger accrued a .320 average (63-197), adding 39 runs, ten doubles, one triple, 13 homers and 39 RBI, and was named a Southern League All-Star starter. The Ohio native became ineligible, however, after becoming just the third Smokies player to be promoted directly to the Chicago Cubs on Monday, June 15, and recorded a .381 average (8-21) with six runs, one triple, one homer and six RBI in five contests in the Big Leagues before being transferred to Triple-A Iowa. Schwarber was selected by the Cubs as the fourth overall pick of the 2014 MLB Draft out of the University of Indiana.
Edwards Jr. and Bryant follow in the footsteps of Smokies alums Kris Bryant and Javier Baez, who were both invited to participate in the 2014 edition of the Sirius XM All-Star Futures Game at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Infielder Arisemendy Alcantara also participated in the 2013 All-Star Futures Game at Citi Field in New York, New York.
The Smokies are set to begin a five-game road series this evening with the Mobile BayBears, the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, with first pitch scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET at Hank Aaron Stadium. RHP Pierce Johnson (1-0, 0.00) is expected to take the hill for the Smokies, while RHP A.J. Schugel (3-1, 2.61) is anticipated to get the ball for Mobile.
Tennessee will then return to Smokies Stadium for a three-game home series versus the Montgomery Biscuits, the Double-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, beginning on Wednesday, July 1 at 7:05 p.m. The Smokies will host post-game fireworks shows following each of those three contests as part of the Red, White and Boom Homestand.
Tickets for all remaining home contests at Smokies Stadium, are on sale and can be purchased online at smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300.
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