COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. (June 4, 2014) — When the 50th Midwest League All-Star Game comes to Fifth Third Ballpark on June 17, the host team will have plenty of representation.
Seven West Michigan Whitecaps have been named to the Eastern Division roster – the most players from one team in the league.
Starting pitchers Austin Kubitza, Buck Farmer, and Jonathon Crawford, relief pitcher Joe Mantiply, second baseman Javier Betancourt, and outfielder Wynton Bernard will represent the Whitecaps as All-Stars.
Kubitza has already been named MWL Pitcher of the Week twice in 2014. He’s 5-0 with a 2.02 E.R.A. and 68 strikeouts this season. He’s third in the league in earned run average and second in strikeouts.
Farmer is the league leader in punchouts with 74. He’s 5-4 with a 2.81 E.R.A.
Mantiply has made 19 appearances out of the bullpen for West Michigan, racking up four saves and a 2.00 E.R.A. He’s struck out 37 batters in 36 innings of relief.
Betancourt is tied for second in the MWL with 68 hits – and is the only player to appear in all 58 games for the Whitecaps this season.
Bernard is having a breakout year with West Michigan after coming over from the Padres organization, hitting .294 with 19 extra-base hits and 18 stolen bases.
Crawford was a late add to the roster as a replacement player. He’s 2-1 with a 2.77 E.R.A. and hasn’t given up more than two runs in eight straight starts.
The Eastern squad will also be coached by Whitecaps manager Andrew Graham, pitching coach Mike Henneman, and hitting coach Nelson Santovenia.
JUNE 9 UPDATE: Whitecaps pitcher Chad Green has been added to the Eastern Division roster as a replacement player. Green is 1-2 with a 3.44 E.R.A with 57 strikeouts in 2014.
