The Bridgeport Bluefish have placed seven players on the Liberty Division 2008 All-Star team, including three starters.
First baseman Jesse Hoorelbeke, outfielder Branden Florence and infielder Luis Lopez will all be in the starting lineup. Infielder Henry Mateo and outfielder Ryan Bear are reserves for the team while starting pitchers Eric DuBose and Barry Hertzler will both represent the Bluefish.
Hoorelbeke (.254, 15 HRs, 56 RBIs), the 2007 A.L. Co-Player of the Year, made the post-season All-Star team last year and now will be playing in his first mid-season contest. He currently shares the league lead in home runs with Ray Navarrete of Long Island and his RBI total ranks second in the league.
Florence (.328, 4 HRs, 30 RBIs) finished out the first half ranked ninth in the league in hitting. He suffered through some injuries the first couple of weeks of the season but became a staple in the Bluefish outfield once he returned to health with a consistently high level of play. His 12-game hit-streak in May currently stands as the second-longest Bluefish streak of the year.
Lopez (.361, 4 HRs, 48 RBIs) was one of the best hitters throughout the entire first half of the season. He currently ranks fourth in the league in batting (second among active players) with many stints in the top spot. His 91 hits lead the league and his 19 doubles and .454 on-base percentage both rank second. On the defensive side of things his .978 fielding percentage is best amongst everyday third basemen.
Mateo (.315, 2 HRs, 26 RBIs) has solidified the top of the lineup to give hitters behind him like Lopez and Hoorelbeke plenty of RBI opportunities. His 20 doubles and 59 runs scored are both league highs. He also has 27-multi hit performances on the year and a 13-game hitting streak, both team highs.
Bear (.320, 6 HRs, 34 RBIs) has been one of the more versatile yet consistent hitters on the Bluefish in the first half. He has made starts at six different spots in the batting order and played all outfield and corner infield positions defensively. His 77 hits are third highest on the team and his 45 runs rank second.
DuBose (4-2, 3.38 ERA, 77.1 IP) has given nothing but consistency to the Bluefish starting rotation. The southpaw has made ten quality starts in his 13 trips to the hill (12 starts). His ERA ranks third in the league (second among active pitchers) and his .242 opponent batting average is best among Tommy John’s starters.
Hertzler (3-5, 4.63 ERA, 81.2 IP) has made things easy on the Bluefish bullpen all year. The Central Connecticut State alum has pitched at least into the eighth inning in six of his 13 starts. He ranked among the league leaders in ERA for the majority of the first half.
The Atlantic League All-Star Game will be played at Commerce Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ on Wednesday, July 16.
