Three PawSox earn all-star nods
Castillo, Beeks, Brasier headed to Columbus on July 11
PAWTUCKET – Three’s Company was a popular television sitcom that spanned the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The marketing folks for the Pawtucket Red Sox might want to create a promotional campaign based on that specific title, considering the club for the second straight year is sending three representatives to the Triple-A All-Star Game that’s scheduled for Wednesday, July 11 at Huntington Park in Columbus, Ohio.
Three PawSox players were named to the International League midseason all-star team that was announced Wednesday, with starting pitcher Jalen Beeks, relief pitcher Ryan Brasier, and outfielder Rusney Castillo all elected through the fan-voting process. Pawtucket and Toledo were the only I.L. teams to have three players elected to the starting lineup.
The record for PawSox players on the I.L. all-star team is five, set in 2008 when Jeff Bailey, Chris Carter, Jonathan Van Every, Joe Thurston, and Charlie Zink were selected. It’s the second straight All-Star nod for Castillo, who last year was joined by pitcher Edgar Olmos and outfielder Bryce Brentz when the best in the International League squared off against their Pacific Coast League counterparts. The 2018 International League All-Star team is made up of 13 elected players who have received the most votes from ballots submitted by league managers & coaches (one-third), media representatives (1/3), and online fan voting (one-third). The elected players are joined by 20 additional All-Stars selected by the I.L. office. Each of the I.L.’s 14 clubs will be represented. Entering Wednesday’s game in Buffalo, Castillo ranked second in the International League in batting with a .315 average in 71 games (66 in the outfield) for the PawSox this season. He leads the league with 92 hits (10 more than the next two players with 82) and is second in at-bats (292). The 30-yearold is the team leader in batting, games, atbats, runs (38), doubles (19), and is tied in stolen bases (seven). In a recent interview with PawSox broadcaster Will Flemming serving as a translator, Castillo explained that the pregame routine he established based on last season’s results has proven key in enabling him to hit the field ready to go. “It’s been about keeping my swing shorter and maintaining a swing path through the ball,” Castillo said. “I started doing that toward the end of last year and now I’m trying to keep it up.” “He comes to the ballpark every day and he’s prepared to work,” PawSox manager Kevin Boles said about Castillo. “He stays focused and has developed tremendous routines.” Beeks is 5-4 with a 2.40 ERA in 13 starts for the PawSox this season and went into Wednesday’s action leading the International League with 101 strikeouts in 75 innings and ranking third in the league in ERA. Among I.L. qualifying pitchers, he has held hitters to a league-low .201 batting average and owns the lowest WHIP (1.00). “He’s learned to mix all four pitches with the curveball and changeup playing off the fastball and cutter,” PawSox pitching coach Kevin Walker said in advance of Beeks making his MLB debut with the Red Sox earlier this month. “The biggest difference between this year and last year is that he’s trusting himself more in the strike zone and being more aggressive. That’s allowed him to get in much better counts.” Brasier is 11-for-12 in save opportunities for the PawSox this season and has posted a 1.50 ERA in 29 relief appearances (which is the second-best ERA among qualifying I.L. relievers). His 11 saves are presently the second most in the league with 10 of them coming since May 1. Brasier has walked just six batters (two were of the intentional variety) all season compared to 38 strikeouts in his 36 in- nings. He has not allowed an earned run in his last 17 outings (17.2 IP) and has allowed just one unearned run over that span (since May 14). Of note, Brasier’s 11 saves represents the most by a Pawtucket pitcher since 2014. “To me, nothing really changes. It’s about being ready to pitch. Most guys down there [in the bullpen] know that it’s not certain when you’re going to be pitched most days,” Brasier said. “Early in the year, I was pitching in the sixth or seventh inning. As far as throwing the last inning, I don’t know who decided or why. Just doing what I can. I like coming into tough spots.” Castillo and Beeks will both celebrate their birthdays during All-Star week in Columbus as Castillo will turn 31 on July 9 and Beeks will be 25 on July 10 (one day before the AllStar Game). Brasier will have to wait a little longer for his 31st birthday (August 26).