Alabama players returning to baseball after MLB All-Star break

Updated July 14, 2017
Posted July 14, 2017

Major League Baseball resumes its 2017 season on Friday after a four-day break for the All-Star Game.

The winning pitcher in the All-Star Game hailed from Huntsville – Boston Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel, who worked the bottom of the ninth for the American League in its 2-1, 10-inning victory in baseball’s annual Midsummer Classic.

Kimbrel is one of the 25 players from Alabama high schools and colleges who have appeared in MLB regular-season games this year, including three players who have made their big-league debuts in 2017.

The rookies were outfielder Phillip Ervin of Leroy High School and Samford, pitcher Jackson Stephens from Oxford High School and pitcher Ben Taylor from Brewbaker Tech and South Alabama.

A rundown on how the MLB players with Alabama baseball roots fared in the first half of the season:

Tim Anderson

Tim Anderson, shortstop, Chicago White Sox

Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa: In March, Anderson signed a fully guaranteed, six-year, $25 million contract extension with the White Sox after stepping into Chicago’s shortstop spot upon his call-up on June 10, 2016. In 78 games this season, Anderson is batting .240 with 36 runs, 11 doubles, one triple, nine home runs, 28 RBIs, five stolen bases, .263 on-base average and .369 slugging percentage.

alex avila.jpg

Alex Avila, catcher, Detroit Tigers

Alabama: Avila’s return to Detroit after spending an injury-filled 2016 season with the Chicago White Sox was supposed to be limited to a left-handed bat to spell starting catcher James McCann. But Avila’s strong performance at the plate turned the first half of the 2017 season into a lot more than that. Avila has played in 16 more games than McCann thanks to his work at first base and DH. In 64 games, Avila is batting .299 with 27 runs, 11 doubles, 11 home runs (equaling his total for the previous two seasons combined), 29 RBIs, .423 on-base average and .535 slugging percentage. 

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Buddy Boshers, pitcher, Minnesota Twins

Lee High School in Huntsville, Calhoun Community College: The left-hander has pitched in 15 games with the Twins and 14 games with Minnesota’s Triple-A affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings. He’s currently pitching out of the Twins’ bullpen. In 21 innings of relief for Minnesota, he has an 0-0 record with a 3.86 ERA. Boshers has given up 22 hits, walked five and struck out 15.

from Auburn Sports Impact http://bit.ly/2uhgIC5
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