SALEM, Va. – The 2018 Carolina League All-Star Classic is less than a week away. The Carolina Mudcats will host this years edition of the All-Star game that will boast a handful of Salem Red Sox players.
Despite still trailing Potomac in the Carolina League Northern Division, five Red Sox players were selected to the All-Star game, the second most in the division behind the Nationals who had six. Salem's representatives include two pitchers and three hitters.
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"A lot of kids wish to be in the All-Star game and it's a great gift to be in the All-Star game. You get to meet new players and players from the other leagues so it's great to be there," said Red Sox infielder Santiago Espinal.
"It's a good experience, like my first year when I played in the Dominican and it's a pretty good experience. I know I'm going to have fun there," said pitcher Daniel Gonzalez.
Espinal is in the middle of a breakout season. Batting .307 with seven homeruns through 54 games, he has the fourth best batting average in the league.
"Been a big spark plug for us and we kind of go how he goes. He's a guy that that helps us score runs, so when he gets on base and usually there's a lot of good things that are going to happen for us. Also, he's been driving in a lot of runs. Out of nowhere, for the small frame guy, has had some power in his back and I had no idea he had that kind of pop and he certainly came out of his shell and we're starting to see a young player starting to blossom," said Red Sox manager Joe Oliver.
"I just feel comfortable and I feel unstoppable.I feel like I can do everything with the bat and with the glove too. I just feel comfortable and it went from there," said Espinal.
The All-Star game is Tuesday, June 19 in Zebulon, NC.