(PR) Trenton, NJ)- The Trenton Thunder, Double-A Affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced that infielder Brandon Laird has been selected to the 2010 Eastern League All-Star team.
Despite being promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on August 2, Brandon Laird’s 90 RBI remain second highest in the Eastern League and his 23 home runs are third best in the league. At the time he was promoted to Triple-A, he lead the EL in RBI (90), total bases (214) and at bats (409), was second in home runs (23), hits (119), games (107), tied for second in extra base hits (47), was fourth in runs scored (73) and fifth in slugging percentage (.523). His .291 batting average was 15th best in the league at the time and remains the 16th best this season. The EL mid-season All-Star drove in seven runs in a game twice this season and on May 26 against Erie, Laird became the second player in franchise history to hit for the cycle. He completed the cycle with a walk-off home run. His 90 RBI are just 13 shy of the Thunder franchise record of 103, set by Raul Gonzalez in 1999.
The selections for the 2010 EL All-Star Team are as follows:
1B: Matt Rizzotti, Reading
2B: Ryan Adams, Bowie
3B: Brandon Laird, Trenton
SS: Danny Espinosa, Harrisburg
C: Hector Gimenez, Altoona
OF: Darin Mastroianni, New Hampshire
OF: Ben Revere, New Britain
OF: Eric Thames, New Hampshire
DH: Joel Guzman, Bowie
UTL: Ray Chang, Portland
RH Starting Pitcher: Kyle Drabek, New Hampshire
LH Starting Pitcher: Rudy Owens, Altoona
Relief Pitcher: Rafael Cova, Richmond
Laird joins the following Thunder players who have been named to the Eastern League Post-Season All-Star team: Eduardo Nunez (2009), Phil Coke (2008), Alan Horne (2007), Randy Ruiz (2006), Shelley Duncan (2005), Mitch Jones (2004), Freddy Sanchez (2002), Shea Hillenbrand (2000), David Eckstein (1999), Raul Gonzalez (1999), Dernell Stenson (1998), Adam Hyzdu (1996), Walt McKeel (1996), Carl Pavano (1996), Pork Chop Pough (1995), Nomar Garciaparra (1995), and Tony Clark (1994).
The All-Star team is voted on by Eastern League team managers, sportswriters, radio and television broadcast personnel and other members of the media.
Trenton is currently on the road at Harrisburg to face the Senators in a four game weekend series. The Thunder will return to action in Trenton on Monday, August 30 to face Akron in the final four home games of the regular season. Tickets are available by calling 609-394-3300 or online at trentonthunder.com.
August 26, 2010 at 9:07 pm |
[...] In Double-A, Brandon Laird was named to the Eastern League postseason all-star team. I don’t think anyone in the system has had a bigger breakout year than Laird. It’s [...]