Factory Alumni Impact League All-Star Games
Over the past month, Minor League Baseball has hosted the annual All-Star Games throughout the country to celebrate the top talent in each respective league. From AAA, to Class A, to the Futures game held during the Major League All-Star Break, nine different All-Star Games were played representing ten different leagues. We are proud to announce that 57 of these All-Stars attended Baseball Factory events from our Premium Video Program to Under Armour Baseball Factory National Tryouts; the Under Armour All-America Game and Team One Showcases. Each event helped players improve their skills and gain exposure on their way to becoming successful, professional baseball players.
Third baseman Josh Vitters was selected to the AAA All-Star Game, going 0-1 with a walk for the Pacific Coast League as they defeated the International League 3-0. Josh, an Anaheim California native, was selected as the third overall pick in the 2007 MLB Draft by the Cubs following his senior year of high school. Before he started his minor league career, Josh attended the 2005 Team One National Underclass Game as well as the 2006 Cape Cod High School All-Star Game, events that allowed Josh to showcase his talents and gain exposure from professional scouts and college coaches.
In the annual MLB Futures Game, multiple Baseball Factory alumni put on impressive displays as the U.S. defeated World 17-5 in a slugfest. Down 4-0, the Team U.S. mounted a comeback, highlighted by a nine run 6th inning capped off by game MVP and Baseball Factory alumnus Nick Castellanos’ 3R homerun. Castellanos, who recently got promoted to AA in the Tigers organization, went 3-4 in the game with the HR, a walk, and three runs scored. Two more Baseball Factory alumni had impressive outings, including right-handed pitcher Zach Wheeler retiring both batters he faced and Mike Olt scoring one run and adding an RBI double. In all, eight Baseball Factory alumni participated in the game held at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on July 8th.
At the Class AA level, 21 Baseball Factory alumni participated in the All-Star Games. In the Eastern League All-Star Game, the East All-Stars defeated their West counterparts 5-4 on a walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th. Despite suffering the loss, two Baseball Factory alumni played well as Jeff Kobernus went 1-2 with a single and right-handed hurler Brett Bochy pitched a scoreless inning. Also in Class AA, eleven Baseball Factory alumni were selected to the Southern League All-Star game. The South All-Stars defeated the North All-Stars 6-2. A pair of Baseball Factory alumni each went 1-3 for the winning team, as Todd Cunningham went 1-3 with an RBI single, stolen base and run scored while Kyle Skipworth added a single in addition to catching most of the game. Several Baseball Factory alumni pitched impressively in the game as well, including Danny Hultzen’s scoreless inning for the North and Kevin Rhoderick and Carter Capps scoreless inning and two-thirds innings (respectively) in relief for the North. Evan Marshall retired the only two batters he faced to help the South shut-down the North in the late innings. On June 28, the Texas League All-Stars played a tight game, resulting in the North downing the South 3-1. Baseball Factory alumnus Nolan Arenado had a significant impact on the game, driving in a run with a ground-rule double and scoring on a HR one batter later in the North’s critical three-run fourth inning.
In the Class A Advanced All-Star Games, 16 total Baseball Factory alumni were selected. On June 19, the Class A Advanced California and Carolina Leagues had their annual cross-country All-Star Game, where the Carolina League dominated its California rivals 9-1. Several Baseball Factory alumni played key roles in helping the Carolina League to victory, including Tyler Kelly’s day at the plate going 2-4 with two doubles. Factory alumnus David Freitas also went 1-1 with an RBI double. Both players came up with clutch hits, as each hitter contributed a 2-out RBI double. In addition, right-handed pitcher Kyle Hendricks pitched a solid inning, striking out one and allowing just one base runner (who reached on an error.) Despite suffering a tough loss, three Baseball Factory alumni played well for the California team as Brad Miller went 1-1 with a double and a walk, George Springer knocked in the team’s only run, and Kevin Quackenbrush struck out the only batter he faced. In the Class A Advanced Florida State League All-Star Game, the South defeated the North 6-3. Baseball Factory alumnus Cory Vaughn hit the lone extra base hit for the winning team, going 1-2 with a double. Michael Brady also helped the North to victory, allowing just one run while striking out two in one inning. If the North All-Stars came out on top, Baseball Factory alumnus Jon Talley certainly would have been considered for MVP honors after displaying his powerful swing and crushing two solo homeruns.
In addition to the Class A Advanced All-Stars, 18 Baseball Factory alumni were selected to the Class A All-Star Games. One of the most lopsided All-Star Games of the summer occurred on June 19 when the East All-Stars crushed the West All-Stars 18-2 in the Class A Midwest League All-Star Game. Two Baseball Factory alumni played a role in the East’s victory, as Jeffrey Malm went 1-2 and scored three runs and Tommy Collier struck out the only batter he faced. Another Baseball Factory alumnus, Greg Hopkins, had a solid day at the plate for the West, going 2-2 with a double in a losing effort. In addition, Baseball Factory alumnus Nicky Delmonico took home MVP Honors in the Class A South Atlantic League All-Star Game, going 2-4 with a double and two runs scored, helping the North beat the South 3-2.
We would like to congratulate all of our alumni on their success at the minor league level so far, and we look forward to their continued success as they Build Their Way to Greatness at the next level!
See below for the complete list of Baseball Factory alumni selected to their league All-Star Games this season.
Name | Level | League | Team (MLB Parent) | Pos |
Josh Vitters | AAA | Pacific Coast League | Iowa Cubs (Cubs) | 3B |
Brett Bochy | Double A | Eastern League | Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants) | RHP |
Bryce Brentz | Double A | Eastern League | Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox) | OF |
Christopher Hernandez | Double A | Eastern League | Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox) | LHP |
Jeff Kobernus | Double A | Eastern League | Harrisburg Senators (Nationals) | 2B |
Zack Wheeler^ | Double A | Eastern League | Binghamton Mets (Mets) | RHP |
Carter Capps | Double A | Southern League | Jackson Generals (Mariners) | RHP |
Todd Cunningham | Double A | Southern League | Mississippi Braves (Braves) | OF |
Nick Franklin | Double A | Southern League | Jackson Generals (Mariners) | SS |
Scooter Gennett^ | Double A | Southern League | Huntsville Stars (Brewers) | 2B |
Sean Gilmartin | Double A | Southern League | Mississippi Braves (Braves) | LHP |
Danny Hultzen | Double A | Southern League | Jackson Generals (Mariners) | LHP |
Evan Marshall | Double A | Southern League | Mobile Bay Bears (Diamondbacks) | RHP |
Kevin Rhoderick | Double A | Southern League | Tennessee Smokies (Cubs) | RHP |
Kyle Skipworth | Double A | Southern League | Jacksonville Suns (Marlins) | C |
Blake Smith | Double A | Southern League | Chattanooga Lookouts (Dodgers) | OF |
Tyler Thornburg | Double A | Southern League | Huntsville Stars (Brewers) | RHP |
Anthony Aliotti | Double A | Texas League | Midland RockHounds (A's) | 1B |
Nolan Arenado^ | Double A | Texas League | Tulsa Drillers (Rockies) | 3B |
Christian Colon | Double A | Texas League | Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Royals) | SS |
Brett Oberholtzer | Double A | Texas League | Corpus Christi Hooks (Astros) | LHP |
Mike Olt^ | Double A | Texas League | Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers) | 3B |
David Holmberg* | Class A Advanced | California League | Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks) | RHP |
Jack Marder* | Class A Advanced | California League | High Desert Mavericks (Mariners) | C |
Tyler Matzek | Class A Advanced | California League | Modesto Nuts (Rockies) | LHP |
Brad Miller | Class A Advanced | California League | High Desert Mavericks (Mariners) | SS |
Chris Owings | Class A Advanced | California League | Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks) | SS |
Kevin Quackenbrush | Class A Advanced | California League | Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) | RHP |
George Springer | Class A Advanced | California League | Lancaster JetHawks (Astros) | OF |
David Freitas | Class A Advanced | Carolina League | Potomac Nationals (Nationals) | C |
Kyle Hendricks | Class A Advanced | Carolina League | Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Rangers) | RHP |
Tyler Kelly | Class A Advanced | Carolina League | Frederick Keys (Orioles) | 3B |
James McCann* | Class A Advanced | Florida State League | Lakeland Flying Tigers (Tigers) | C |
Jon Talley | Class A Advanced | Florida State League | Dunedin Blue Jays (Blue Jays) | 1B |
Nick Castellanos*^ | Class A Advanced | Florida State League | Lakeland Flying Tigers (Tigers) | 3B |
Jameson Taillon | Class A Advanced | Florida State League | Bradenton Marauders (Pirates) | RHP |
Michael Brady | Class A Advanced | Florida State League | Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins) | RHP |
Cory Vauhgn | Class A Advanced | Florida State League | St Lucie Mets (Mets) | OF |
Tommy Collier | Class A | Midwest League | West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers) | RHP |
Jake Floethe | Class A | Midwest League | Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) | RHP |
Greg Hopkins | Class A | Midwest League | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers) | 2B |
Francisco Lindor** | Class A | Midwest League | Lake County Captains (Indians) | SS |
Rafael Lopez | Class A | Midwest League | Peoria Chiefs (Cubs) | C |
Jeffery Malm | Class A | Midwest League | Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) | 1B |
Jason Rogers | Class A | Midwest League | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers) | 3B |
Jordan Shipers | Class A | Midwest League | Clinton LumberKings (Mariners) | LHP |
Tommy Toledo | Class A | Midwest League | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers) | RHP |
Michael Tonkin | Class A | Midwest League | Beloit Snappers (Twins) | RHP |
Colin Walsh | Class A | Midwest League | Quad Cities River Bandits (Cardinals) | Util |
Mark Williams | Class A | Midwest League | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers) | RHP |
Garin Cecchini | Class A | South Atlantic League | Greenville Drive (Red Sox) | INF |
Nicky Delmonico | Class A | South Atlantic League | Delmarva Shorebirds (Orioles) | 1B |
Zachary Johnson | Class A | South Atlantic League | Lexington Legends (Astros) | DH |
Brent Keys | Class A | South Atlantic League | Greensboro Grasshoppers (Marlins) | CF |
Samuel Mende | Class A | South Atlantic League | Asheville Tourists (Rockies) | INF |
Adrian Nieto | Class A | South Atlantic League | Hagerstown Suns (Nationals) | C |
Nicholas Tropeano | Class A | South Atlantic League | Lexington Legends (Astros) | RHP |
*Will not play, promoted to AA | ||||
**Selected to Futures Game | ||||
^Selected to Futures Game and League All-Star Game |