Three Blaze Selected to All Star Team
June 8, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
Bakersfield Blaze pitchers Tyler Herb and Kyle Schepel and first baseman Kyle Petty have been named to the 2016 California League Mid-Season All Star Team, as voted on by managers and broadcasters of the California League's ten teams.
Tyler Herb was the Mariners' 29th round pick in the 2014 draft out of Coastal Carolina University, and while his numbers in seasons past have been decent, Herb has thus far enjoyed a breakout season with Bakersfield in 2016. Herb currently sits second in the league in strikeouts (70), 6th in the league in ERA (2.81), and 3rd in the league in innings pitched (67.1). Even more impressive, Herb has reached all these marks while having one of his scheduled starts rained out.
Kyle Schepel, a journeyman reliever, made his way to this All Star selection on a unique path. Schepel pitched collegiately at Grand Valley State in western Michigan, but went undrafted out of school and linked up with Rockford in the Frontier League. The Diamondbacks signed Schepel for the 2013 and 2014 seasons, but Kyle was back in Independent ball to start 2015. That's where the Mariners found their diamond in the rough. Schepel has put together a startling season in 2016, going 3-1 out of the Bakersfield bullpen with a sparkling 1.46 ERA. He has 6 saves since taking over the closer's role, and leads the league in opponents batting average, allowing hitters just a .119 mark against him.
Not to be outdone, Kyle Petty represents Bakersfield on the position player side of the roster, and the big first baseman represents the Blaze very well. Petty is the top hitter in the California League, batting .346 with a nation-best 82 hits on the season and a league-best 125 total bases. Petty is tied for the league-lead in doubles (19), and is 3rd in the league in both runs scored (43) and on-base percentage (.418).
"We have a number of talented guys on this team," noted Manager Eddie Menchaca, on the All Star process. "Lately we've been winning, and teams are taking notice of the guys getting us there. Petty, Schepel, Herb ... they've been doing it all year, and it's awesome that they're being honored for it. I know they can't wait to play in the 75th Anniversary All Star game, and I know the staff in Lake Elsinore is going to do a great job."
The 75th Anniversary celebration of the California League All Star game will take place on Tuesday, June 22 in Lake Elsinore. Fans can purchase tickets through the Storm front office and website at stormbaseball.com.
California League Stories from June 8, 2016
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- 66ers' Arakawa Selected for California League All-Star Team - Inland Empire 66ers
- IF Dawel Lugo Named Mid-Season California League All-Star - Visalia Rawhide
- Two Quakes Named Cal League All-Stars - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Ports' Harris Named to California League All-Star Roster - Stockton Ports
- Ports' Harris Named to California League All-Star Roster - Stockton Ports
- Two Mavericks Named Starters in 2016 Cal-League All-Star Game - High Desert Mavericks
- Three Blaze Selected to All Star Team - Bakersfield Blaze
- Four San Jose Giants Named to 2016 California League All-Star Team - San Jose Giants
- Boyd, Stubbs Named Cal League All-Stars - Lancaster JetHawks
- Cal League All Stars Announced - CalL1
- Blaze Drop Hammer on Giants to Complete Sweep - Bakersfield Blaze
- Errors Doom Ports in Eighth Straight Loss, 6-5 - Stockton Ports
- Giants Fall 7-3, Swept in Four-Game Series by Blaze - San Jose Giants
- Quakes Pull to Within One Game in South - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Stubbs Caps Comeback To Secure Sweep Of Nuts - Lancaster JetHawks
- Nuts Defeated in Walk-Off Fashion for Second Straight Night - Modesto Nuts
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