The Asheville Tourists will be well represented in Columbia, SC, during the South Atlantic League All-Star break.
Asheville placed a league-high six players on the Southern division roster; three starters and three reserves.
The starting third-baseman for the South is Asheville’s Colton Welker. The Coral Springs, FL native leads the entire league with a .357 batting average. Welker has six Home Runs, 28 RBI, and leads the Tourists with 18 multi-hit games.
The starting shortstop for the South is Asheville’s Jose Gomez. Jose has split time between shortstop and second base this year and has consistently hit over .300. Gomez is currently hitting .306 with three Home Runs and ranks second on the Tourists in stolen bases with 12. Gomez was named an All Star last season in the Pioneer League as well.
The Southern division’s starting designated hitter is Asheville’s Max George. After a slow start, George went on a tear in the month of May. The Parker, CO native went 24-for72 (.333) with ten runs scored, eight RBI, eight stolen bases, and three Home Runs. George’s on-base percentage in May was .422.
Also representing the Tourists offense is Vince Fernandez. The Livermore, CA native was named as a Utility Outfielder for the Southern division. Fernandez leads the Tourists in Home Runs (9), doubles (16), and runs scored (39). Fernandez ranks in the top five of the league in those categories in addition to batting average (.325).
Asheville also will send two pitchers to the mid-summer classic. The first is Alejandro Requena. In ten starts this season, Requena has a 3-2 record with a 2.66 ERA. In 61.0 innings pitched this season, the right-hander has allowed only 54 hits and has pitched six innings with two runs or less allowed in seven of his ten starts.
The second pitcher off Asheville’s roster is J.D. Hammer. The right-hander out of Windsor, CO leads the Tourists in saves with six. His .163, opponents’ batting average against and 14.40 strikeouts per nine innings ratio are both among the best in the league. Hammer sports a 3-1 record on the year with a 1.08 ERA.
The South Atlantic League All-Star game takes place on Tuesday, June 20 at Spirit Communications Park in Columbia, SC. A full list of the Northern division and Southern division All-Star teams is below.
(Written by Doug Maurer of the Asheville Tourists.)