STATE COLLEGE — The New York Penn League will hold its annual All-Star activities Monday, Aug. 15, and Tuesday, Aug. 16. This year’s game will be hosted by Hudson Valley.
Several State College Spikes can easily make excellent claims for a spot in the game.
Shortstop and second baseman Tommy Edman likely has the best case. His OPS, or on-base percentage plus slugging, of .895 ranks fourth in the league. With 21 RBIs and a .292 batting average backed by stellar defense, Edman is an all-around force at the plate and in the field.
If run production is the chief criteria, then Ryan McCarvel’s five home runs and 25 RBIs — good for fifth in the NYPL — would have him in the game, though his .231 batting average and .711 OPS may ding his chances.
The same goes for Vince Jackson. The third-best base stealer in the league, with 12, checks in with 22 RBIs and 53 total bases, but also carries lower peripherals.
On the bump, the Spikes’ best choice for an All-Star nod — Ronnie Williams — has moved on to the Peoria Chiefs. The remaining candidates would have a tough road to making the game, as Carson Cross’ 3.47 ERA leads the Spikes. Brady Bowen has been a steady presence in the bullpen, with a 2.29 ERA and 1.07 WHIP (walks and hits divided by innings pitched) across 19.2 innings. If he accumulates enough innings to qualify before the game, he, too, could be a selection.
Regardless of any potential All-Star nominations, manager Johnny Rodriguez has handled his squad with flying colors, leading them to the best record in the NYPL, despite a rotating cast.
Spikes players continue to be promoted
Promotions continue to take a toll on the Spikes, and another round of call-ups has hit the team hard.
In addition to Williams, pitcher John Kilichowski and third baseman Matt Davis made the jump to the Peoria Chiefs over the past week.
Williams had a fantastic 2016 with the Spikes. The 2014 second-round draft pick ended his 2016 season in State College with a 2.72 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. At times, Williams showed excellent strikeout ability — most notably in a 10K performance on June 30 — and had an excellent GO/AO (groundouts divided by all outs) ratio of 1.36.
Kilichowski carries less of a pedigree than Williams, but turned in a fine stint with the Spikes nonetheless. In five games — four starts — with the club, Kilichowski had a sparking 0.92 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. Opponents hit just .214 against him. Control was an issue at times — Kilichowski gave up 11 walks in 19.2 innings — but he had a knack for getting out of jams, showing a mental toughness that likely played a factor in his promotion.
Bader gets recognized
MLBPipeline.com released it’s midseason Top 100/Top 30-by-team prospect rankings last week, and former Spikes outfielder Harrison Bader clocked in as the Cardinal’s third overall prospect.
Bader also squeaked into the Top 100 as No. 100 overall. His ascension in the Cardinals’ rankings leaves him as the top position player prospect in the system. Bader reached the Triple-A level in 2016, and is slashing .274/.354/.397 in 23 games for Memphis. Previously, Bader played in 73 games for Springfield at Double A, and notched 13 home runs and 33 RBIs.
While a 2016 September call to the majors is not out of the realm of possibility, a 2017 MLB debut is more likely for the right-hand-hitting outfielder.
