Greg Bird Named to SAL All-Star Team

Greg Bird Named to SAL All-Star Team

Talented First Baseman Is the Lone RiverDog to Be Honored

CHARLESTON, SC -- First baseman Greg Bird, who leads the RiverDogs with 20 home runs and 83 RBI, has been named to the 2013 South Atlantic League All-Star Team, which for the first time in league history includes a spot for a relief pitcher. The group was voted on by the 14 South Atlantic League team's field managers, general managers, sportswriters and broadcasters for a total of 56 votes.

A 6'3", 215 pound lefty slugger from Aurora, Col., Bird has had one of the most impressive seasons for a first baseman in quite some time in the South Atlantic League. He leads Charleston in almost every offensive category with a .289 batting average, 20 homers, 83 RBI, and 129 hits. Bird also leads the entire South Atlantic League with a very impressive 100 walks, 59 extra base hits, and .423 on-base percentage. Still just 20-years old, he was drafted in the fifth round of the 2011 draft out of Grandview High School in Aurora, Col., and signed out of his commitment to the University of Arkansas.

"Greg Bird is a great young ballplayer who works extremely hard every single day and has been a joy to coach this season," said RiverDogs manager Al Pedrique. "There's no player in the league who deserves to be named an All-Star more than Greg Bird, and I am very, very happy him."  

The Annual All-Star Team was highlighted by the selections for Most Outstanding Pitcher, Most Outstanding Major League Prospect and Most Valuable Player. Gabriel Ynoa of the Savannah Sand Gnats, who sports a 14-4 record and a 2.71 ERA in 21 games, was selected as the Most Outstanding Pitcher. Asheville Tourists shortstop Rosell Herrera was chosen as the Most Outstanding Major League Prospect and the Most Valuable Player. Herrera leads the league with a .345 batting average, 161 hits and 242 total bases in 125 games.

Tripp Keister of the Hagerstown Suns was selected as Manager of the 2013 Annual All-Star Team while Frank Viola of the Savannah Sand Gnats was picked as the pitching coach. 

The Asheville Tourists and Hickory Crawdads each had three players named to the squad. The Tourists representatives include catcher Tom Murphy, shortstop Rosell Herrera and outfield Francisco Sosa. The Crawdads contributed third baseman Joey Gallo, outfielder Nick Williams and designated hitter Ryan Rua. The West Virginia Power placed two players on the team, including right-handed pitcher Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Josh Bell. Charleston, Greensboro, Hagerstown, Kannapolis, Lexington and Rome each had one representative. 

Shae Simmons of Rome was named the first-ever relief pitcher on the All-Star lineup.

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original article can be seen HERE.