Will represent Liberty Division at Bethpage Ballpark on July 11th
 

(Central Islip, N.Y., July 2, 2018) – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball today unveiled the rosters that will represent the Liberty and Freedom Divisions at the 2018 Atlantic League All-Star Game, presented by Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center. Seven members of the Long Island Ducks have been chosen to participate in the game, which will be held on Long Island Wednesday, July 11th at 6:35 p.m. Pitchers Bennett Parry, Jake Fisher and Wander Perez, infielders Jordany Valdespin and David Washington, outfielder Lew Ford and catcher Ramon Cabrera were each selected by league official, coaching staff, media and fan voting.

(Statistics through July 1, 2018)

Parry has been one of the top pitchers in the Atlantic League this season. He is currently the league leader in strikeouts with 90 over his first 10 starts this season, 29 more than any other pitcher. The southpaw ranks third with a 2.23 earned run average and is one win shy of equaling the league lead. Parry boasts a perfect 5-0 record and has given up just 15 runs and 22 walks over 60 and two-thirds innings of work. On May 30, he tied the Ducks single-game record with 14 strikeouts against the Sugar Land Skeeters, and he has struck out 10 or more batters in four of his 10 starts.

Fisher joins Parry as one of the league’s best arms in 2018. He has made 11 starts to this point, compiling the second-most strikeouts in the Atlantic League with 61. He ranks second with 69 innings pitched, trailing only fellow All-Star Cory Riordan by one and one-third innings. The left-hander has posted a 3-3 record with a 4.17 ERA and has walked just nine batters in 69 innings of work. He has gone six innings or more in seven of his 11 starts as well.

Perez has turned in an impressive season out of the Ducks bullpen. The left-hander has appeared in 27 games, tied for the fourth-most in the Atlantic League to this point. He has turned in a 2-1 record with a 2.84 ERA and one save. In 25 innings of work, the first-year Duck has given up just eight runs and eight walks while striking out 23 batters. He began the year with nine consecutive scoreless appearances and then had nine straight scoreless outings once again from June 2-20.

Valdespin has been one of the Atlantic League’s best position players thus far in 2018. The infielder currently leads the league in six offensive categories, including batting average (.354), hits (85), runs (50), triples (6), total bases (122) and at bats (240). Additionally, he ranks second in slugging percentage (.508), third in extra-base hits (23) and fourth in on-base percentage (.414). The four-year MLB veteran has totaled four home runs, 27 RBIs, 13 doubles and 13 stolen bases in his 58 games played. He has currently compiled a 25-game on-base streak as well, the longest in the Atlantic League this season.

Washington brings a powerful bat to the All-Star Game. The infielder has launched eight home runs in 2018, good for second on the Ducks and seventh in the Atlantic League. Additionally, he has added 28 RBIs, good for third among Ducks players, 28 runs, 41 hits, eight doubles and a team-leading 26 walks over 52 games played. The 2017 Major Leaguer reached base safely in 11 consecutive games from May 12-24 and turned in a two-homer, four-hit, six-run performance in Long Island’s home opener on May 4.

Ford will appear in the Atlantic League All-Star Game for the third time, having previously garnered selections in 2014 and 2015. The outfielder and hitting coach has collected 37 RBIs in his 58 games played this year, tied for the fourth-most in the Atlantic League. He has also posted a .268 batting average with four home runs, 28 runs scored, 60 hits and a team-high 13 doubles (tied with Valdespin). The 41-year-old hit safely in each of his first eight games in 2018 and reached base safely in 18 of his first 19 contests as well. Recently, he has collected multiple hits in three of his past four games and six of his past 13 games.

Cabrera has taken over the Ducks starting catcher role and turned in a solid first half of the season. He has totaled 31 hits in 35 games played as well as eight RBIs, 10 runs and five doubles. Defensively, the backstop has committed just two errors while posting a .993 fielding percentage and throwing out eight runners attempting to steal. The former Major Leaguer collected multiple hits in four of his first eight games and has already accrued 11 multi-hit contests this season.

CLICK HERE to view the full Liberty and Freedom Division rosters for the All-Star Game

The Atlantic League’s 21st Annual All-Star Game will be held at Bethpage Ballpark, the home of the Long Island Ducks, on Wednesday, July 11th. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., with the ballpark gates opening at 5:00. The All-Star Game will be preceded by the Digmi Home Run Derby, showcasing many of the league’s top power hitters. Fans will also enjoy in-game entertainment from the highly-acclaimed Bucket Ruckus and Tyler’s Amazing Balancing Act. Following the game, all of those in attendance will be treated to the biggest Fireworks Spectacular of the season.

Tickets for the 2018 Atlantic League All-Star Game, presented by Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, are on sale now! Fans can purchase their tickets by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX, CLICKING HERE or downloading the Ducks mobile app.

The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment.

For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.
 

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