Cody Crouse is one of nine Foresters that made the 2015 CCL All-Star Team.
The California Collegiate League will host its 7th annual mid-summer classic on Wednesday night, as the 2015 All-Star Game heads to MLB’s Urban Youth Academy facility in Compton.
Nine Santa Barbara Foresters will be there with manager Bill Pintard, who is coaching the CCL South Team. Pintard is no stranger to the All-Star atmosphere, winning the first 4 of 6 matchups since the CCL showcase began back in 2009.
The game is set to be nationally televised on Fox Sports West, with first-pitch scheduled for 7 p.m.
Santa Barbara’s nine all-stars are among 60 of this summer’s best playmakers and prospects in the CCL. In a summer showdown that has witnessed the likes of Chicago Cub’s phenom and NL Rookie of the Year candidate Kris Bryant, the CCL All-Star matchup has the potential of featuring the MLB’s next generation of stars.
With pitching staffs loaded with talent, both coaches will have plenty of options on the rubber at their disposal.
For the CCL North, watch out for San Luis Obispo Blues RHP Korey Anderson to make an impact. With a 1.73 ERA over 25.99 innings pitched (1st in league), Anderson will look to quiet the South’s bats.
Also look to LA Brewer’s righty, Peter Bayer to make things difficult for the South league hitters. The 6’4 senior posts a 2.18 ERA and leads the CCL in strikeouts thus far, with 32 in league play.
Santa Barbara’s Coach Pintard is pleased to bring his own starter, Glenn Otto, into the mix for the South. Otto posts an impressive 1.03 ERA for second best in league, compiling 25 strikeouts over just 17 2/3 innings pitched. The freshman out of Rice University looks to showcase his abilities on the mound, with reports projecting him as a future 2017 draft pick.
The Foresters’ Cody Crouse out of Florida International will also be high on the prospect radar come Wednesday night. The big 6’6 right hander was a former 19th round selection by the Mets back in 2013 but elected to keep his commitment to FIU. Coming out of high school at just 185lbs for his long frame, the Mets organization anticipated to see the draftee mature and develop on the mound. Just as they had hoped, the righty has bulked up to 215lbs to help strengthen his fastball, considerably increasing his draft stock for 2016.
Larry Mahoney of the L.A. Brewers is coaching the North Team.
Coach Mahoney’s clean-up hitter, Vahn Bozoian of the LA Brewers is the obvious threat at the plate for the North squad of hitters. Boasting a .352 avg. and leading the league in both home runs (4) and RBIs (21). The former USC Trojan will look to capitalize on the chance to compete.
Once considered the Trojan’s top source of power, the outfielder was dismissed from the program in 2014 after experiencing student disciplinary issues with the University. If there ever was a chance to bounce back for a talent like Bozoian, CCL’s showcase might be just the opportunity he’s been looking for.
Watch for Santa Barbara’s David Greer and Tyler Neslony to make a difference at the plate for the South. Arizona State’s Greer has posted a ridiculous .571 avg, (2nd in league) with 15 RBIs in 10 games of conference action this season. Texas Tech’s Neslony comes in with a solid .364 avg and 11 RBIs in conference.
Forester veterans Granger Studdard and Jeremy Montalbano also return for their second All-Star nod in a row. Studdard has posted a .381 avg. with 11 RBIs, while Montalbano has 12 RBIs and a home run in CCL play.
Lex Kaplan, and shortstop John Holland also outline the roster in their first CCL All-Star game appearances. With Coach Pintard maneuvering them up and down the lineup, both players have shown great versatility throughout the season. Holland has proven to be a solid leadoff hitter while transitioning between second base and shortstop. Kaplan has shown sparks of power with two HRs while playing outstanding defense in the outfield and at first base.
Following the all-star game, the Foresters return home to UCSB’s Caesar Uyesaka Stadium this weekend for a three-game series starting Friday.
If Bozoian performs like he did back at USC this is going to be one great All Star Game