EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Squirrels Send Four to Eastern League All-Star Game

Published on June 29, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Eastern League in conjunction with the Harrisburg Senators has announced the rosters for the Eastern League All-Star Game presented by Ollie's Bargain Basement which will be contested at Metro Bank Park in Harrisburg, PA on Wednesday, July 14th. The Western Division All-Stars will include four Richmond Flying Squirrels, as the team will be represented in its inaugural season by RHP Daryl Maday, RHP Rafael Cova, SS Brandon Crawford and OF Thomas Neal.

Maday, 24, is currently third in the Eastern League with an ERA of 2.22, and is tied with teammate David Mixon for second in wins with eight. The native of Bristol, WI, won his first seven decisions of the season and is currently fifth in the EL in innings pitched (89.1). Originally a 30th round selection of the Giants out of Arkansas University, he is currently in his fourth professional season.

Cova, 28, has been the anchor at the back-end of the Richmond bullpen. He is currently 14-for-15 in save opportunities on the season and is third in the league in overall saves. He boasts a miniscule 1.23 ERA in 26 appearances and has held the Eastern League to an average against of .167 while striking out 31 in 29 1/3 innings. The Venezuelan-born right-hander was originally a product of the New York Mets' farm system and is currently in his second season with the Giants after signing as a minor league free agent.

Crawford, 23, helps comprise the most prolific double-play combination in the Eastern League. The slick-fielding shortstop has helped Richmond turn a league-topping 101 double plays, and he currently boasts a fielding percentage of .976, having committed just nine errors in 381 total chances. At the plate, he is second on the club with six home runs and has driven in 19 runs. A product of UCLA, the native of Pleasonton, CA, was originally a fourth round draft choice of the Giants in 2008. He is currently ranked by Baseball America as the top defensive infielder and #9 overall prospect in the Giants' chain.

Neal, 22, is named as an All-Star while currently on a tear at the plate. In the month of June, he is hitting .348 (31-89) and has belted five home runs and driven in 19 runs. Overall, he leads the Squirrels with eight home runs and 43 RBIs. He also leads the team in multi-hit games (23) and shares the franchise-record (Ronnie Ray) with 5 RBIs in a single game, which he has accomplished twice. On June 26th at Erie he became just the second Eastern League hitter to homer three times in the same game (Wilkin Ramirez). A native of San Diego, CA, he was also selected as both a midseason and post-season all-star in the California League in 2009. Baseball America currently touts the former 36th round draft choice as the #4 prospect in the Giants' system.

The Flying Squirrels are currently in the midst of a seven-game home stand that continues through Sunday, July 4th. The July 4th game against Erie has sold out, but tickets remain for the five other games and can be purchased by calling (804) 359-FUNN (3866), visiting the Squirrels' Ticket Office at The Diamond or logging on to SquirrelsBaseball.com.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from June 29, 2010


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