The Greenville Drive will be sending five representatives to the 59th annual South Atlantic League All-Star Game on June 19th in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Manager Iggy Suarez will lead the Southern Division team, and his roster features three Drive players in pitcher Kutter Crawford, pitcher Denyi Reyes and outfielder Victor Acosta. Athletic Trainer Phil Millan will hold the same role for the Southern Division.
“It is truly an honor to represent the Drive organization and the South Atlantic League as the manager of the Southern Division in this year’s All-Star Game,” said Suarez. “Kutter, Denyi and Victor have all produced outstanding numbers for us this season, and they will represent our organization extremely well as they always do. We are also glad to see Phil recognized for his hard work in keeping our players healthy on a daily basis.”
Suarez is currently in his first season managing the Drive after spending the previous three years with the Lowell Spinners in the New York-Penn League, with two seasons as manager and one as hitting coach.
Crawford has been a force in the Drive starting rotation all season long. He posted a 2.22 ERA over his first 10 starts in 2018, and he has struck out 64 batters in 52 2/3 innings, a total that ranks fourth in the South Atlantic League. Crawford has allowed just 44 hits, and he has recorded eight or more strikeouts in five of his ten starts this year.
Reyes currently ranks third in the South Atlantic League with 67 strikeouts, and he has issued just eight walks in 64 2/3 innings. He leads the Drive with four wins and owns a 2.23 ERA over 12 appearances, including nine starts. This marks the second consecutive year Reyes has been selected as an All-Star, as he earned the honors for the Lowell Spinners in the New York-Penn League in 2017.
Acosta will serve as a utility outfielder in the All-Star Game. One of the most consistent hitters on the Drive roster all season, he is hitting .308 over his first 41 games, and he ranks second on the team with six homers and 20 RBI. He also leads the Drive with a .484 slugging percentage and is tied for the team lead with eight doubles.
Millan is in his second season as the Drive’s athletic trainer, and he has been part of the Red Sox organization since 2016.
“We are thrilled to be sending five representatives to the South Atlantic League All-Star Game, as it speaks extremely well on the Red Sox player development staff,” said Drive General Manager Eric Jarinko. “Kutter, Denyi and Victor are extremely deserving of these honors, and we are glad to see them recognized for their accomplishments on the field. Iggy and Phil have done a tremendous job having our players ready to play this season, and they will do the same for the Southern Division.”
(Image: 2017 Greenville Drive.)