Rutherford leads crop of four Yankee prospects selected to Low-A South Atlantic League All-Star team
Charleston outfielder and number three prospect Blake Rutherford was honored Tuesday by being named to the 58th South Atlantic League All Star Game. Rutherford headlines a group of RHP Brian Keller, C Donny Sands, and resurgent SS Hoy Jun Park as Yankee prospects representing the SAL South Division this summer.
Rutherford, the 32nd prospect in baseball, has been stellar in his 175 at-bats this season. The 2016 first-round pick has hit a slash line of .280/.355/.394 in 47 games played. Despite just one homer so far, Rutherford has slugged 13 doubles and 18 RBIs, while also showing off an impressive nine stolen bases.
If he continues to contribute, he likely will be promoted sooner rather than later to High-A Tampa, but he might also be brought up in trade discussions as July is getting closer. With the Yanks likely unwilling to give up Clint Frazier or Gleyber Torres in any trade, Rutherford could be the main piece in a trade for a starting pitcher, as the lefty is still just as 20 years old.
Charleston, the Low-A affiliate for the Yanks, has a record of .500 on the year, going 28-28. Park, a resurgent shortstop and a top 30 Yankee prospect has an impressive .372 OBP thus far, with four homers, and 22 RBIs in 43 games. Keller, the Yankees 39th round selection in last year's draft is an interesting selection given his unimpressive 4-5 record, 4.44 ERA, but solid 1.18 WHIP. Keller has struck out 53 batters this season while just walking eight. Finally, Sands is knocking on the door as a Yankees top 30 prospect, and he is hitting .280/.302/.320 this season. Sands lacks power, but he's been good enough at the plate to make the All-Star team.
This is the second consecutive season the RiverDogs have sent multiple players to the All-Star game, and the first time they've had four players selected since Aaron Judge led a group of four Yankee prospects to the SAL All-Star game in 2014.
Article by: Spencer Schultz
Follow @spenceschultz63 Follow @BronxBomberBall
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| Photo Credit: Martin Griff |
Rutherford, the 32nd prospect in baseball, has been stellar in his 175 at-bats this season. The 2016 first-round pick has hit a slash line of .280/.355/.394 in 47 games played. Despite just one homer so far, Rutherford has slugged 13 doubles and 18 RBIs, while also showing off an impressive nine stolen bases.
If he continues to contribute, he likely will be promoted sooner rather than later to High-A Tampa, but he might also be brought up in trade discussions as July is getting closer. With the Yanks likely unwilling to give up Clint Frazier or Gleyber Torres in any trade, Rutherford could be the main piece in a trade for a starting pitcher, as the lefty is still just as 20 years old.
Charleston, the Low-A affiliate for the Yanks, has a record of .500 on the year, going 28-28. Park, a resurgent shortstop and a top 30 Yankee prospect has an impressive .372 OBP thus far, with four homers, and 22 RBIs in 43 games. Keller, the Yankees 39th round selection in last year's draft is an interesting selection given his unimpressive 4-5 record, 4.44 ERA, but solid 1.18 WHIP. Keller has struck out 53 batters this season while just walking eight. Finally, Sands is knocking on the door as a Yankees top 30 prospect, and he is hitting .280/.302/.320 this season. Sands lacks power, but he's been good enough at the plate to make the All-Star team.
This is the second consecutive season the RiverDogs have sent multiple players to the All-Star game, and the first time they've had four players selected since Aaron Judge led a group of four Yankee prospects to the SAL All-Star game in 2014.
Article by: Spencer Schultz
Follow @spenceschultz63 Follow @BronxBomberBall
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