Cleveland Indians: Akron Rubberducks Host Eastern League All-Star Game

Akron Rubberducks Host the Eastern League All-Star Game Tonight

In addition to the Triple-A All-Star game, tonight will also see the Eastern League All-Star game taking place. The Cleveland Indians’ Double-A affiliate will be hosting the contest at Canal Park in downtown Akron. Fans coming out for the game will be treated a plethora of Tribe prospects, as well as, a total of nine Rubberducks have been named to the Western Division squad. 

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Of the nine Rubberducks named to the squad, five were pitchers including Shawn Morimando, Perci Garner, J.P. Feyereisen, Louis Head, and Grant Sides. Morimando and Garner are not active for the game as both have been promoted but will still be honored as All-Stars. The remaining four All-Stars are position players, including Jeremy Lucas, Nellie Rodriguez, Bradley Zimmer, and Clint Frazier, the latter three being named starters.

Morimando was the only one of the five All-Star pitchers to crack the Indians’ top 30 prospect rankings this winter, as the left-hander was the Tribe’s 29th ranked prospect. In one appearance Morimando threw 3 2/3 innings of relief allowing a pair of runs and striking out four. In 16 starts with the Rubberducks, Morimando went 10-3 with a 3.09 ERA in 16 starts to earn his All-Star nod.

The 27-year-old Garner has had a very good year out of the bullpen at both the Double-A and Triple-A levels. He made 23 appearances with the Rubberducks while throwing a whopping 51 innings. He posted a 5-1 record with a 1.94 ERA while striking out 8.3 per nine innings and walking less than two per nine. He’s made two appearances with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers as well throwing 4 2/3 innings with a 1.93 ERA.

Feyereisen is a 23-year-old right-hander who has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen since being drafted by the Indians in 2014. In 29 appearances for the Rubberducks, he’s posted a 4-2 record with a 2.29 ERA. He’s struck out an impressive 12.5 per nine innings while he’s walk 3.8.  He’s also added five saves in his 35 1/3 innings of work. He’s been an impressive arm for the Rubberducks and one to watch as the seasons progress.

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Head is a 26-year-old right-hander in his third stint with the Rubberducks. In 29 appearances this season he’s thrown 47 1/3 innings with a 2.66 ERA. Sides is also in his third stint with Akron hand has made 27 appearances this season throwing 42 innings. He has a 3.00 ERA and impressive 1.05 WHIP on the season.

The lone non-starting position player to make the team was Akron catcher Jeremy Lucas, who also was the lone position player to not crack the team’s top 30 prospect list this winter. After struggling last season, Lucas has put up some good numbers from the catching position, batting .241 with a .768 OPS and eight home runs. What he lacks in batting average he makes up for in walks with a 12.4% walk rate that has helped him to a solid .348 OBP.

First baseman Nellie Rodriguez has continued to mash this season, hitting 17 home runs already (third most in Eastern league) and coming in third place in yesterday’s Home Run Derby. He’s batting .261 with a .842 OPS and 55 runs batted in. He was named the starting first baseman for the Western All-Stars and will bat cleanup. He was named the Tribe’s 18th best prospect before the season began as well.

Super Prospect Bradley Zimmer will start in center field tonight and bat fifth. He’s having another great season though perhaps not quite as great as many had hoped. The second best prospect in the Tribe’s system is hitting .244 with a healthy .849 OPS.  He’s added 14 home runs and like Rodriguez participated in the Home Run Derby. He’s added 50 runs batted in and has already stolen 30 bases on the season while playing all three outfield spots.

The gem of tonight’s game among Tribe prospects is outfielder Clint Frazier who is coming off a Future’s Game appearance and will start in right field batting second tonight. Frazier was the Tribe’s top prospect heading into the season and hasn’t missed a beat as he’s moved up to the Double-A level. The 21-year-old has hit a team-best .287 with a .853 OPS, which is seventh-best in the Eastern League (minimum 200 plate appearances). He’s also added 11 home runs and 11 stolen bases.

Next: Trio of Tribe Prospects Participating in Triple-A All-Star Game

Needless to say, the Akron Rubberducks team has been loaded with talent all season. Players such as Yandy Diaz and Ben Heller easily could have been All-Stars as well if not promoted to Triple-A. It also would not be a surprise if a couple players on this list weren’t promoted soon after this game… (hint hint, Clint Frazier and/or Bradley Zimmer)