Gomez, Santana Named Eastern League All Stars

The Eastern League announced their 2009 Eastern League All-Star Team today, and right-handed starting pitcher Jeanmar Gomez and catcher Carlos Santana were named to the team. The selections to the team were voted on by respective Eastern League team managers and coaching staffs, sportswriters, radio and television broadcast personnel and other members of the media.

Catcher: Carlos Santana, Akron Aeros (.285, 21 HR, 89 RBI, 82 R)

Akron catcher Carlos Santana entered the season rated by Baseball America as the top rated prospect in the Cleveland organization, and he has lived up to the billing with the Aeros this season, hitting .285 with 27 doubles, 21 home runs and 89 RBI in 121 games. The 23-year old has drawn a league-high 84 walks this season and he is also among the league leaders in home runs (21-2nd), RBI (89-2nd), on-base percentage (.410-3rd), extra-base hits (50-tied 3rd), slugging percentage (.523-4th), total bases (207-4th) and OPS (.933-4th). Santana, who is a native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, has been especially impressive in the second half of the season, hitting .326 with 10 doubles, seven home runs, 31 RBI and 26 runs scored in 38 games since the All-Star Break. Carlos was the starting catcher for the Southern Division at the 2009 Eastern League All-Star Game and was also a member of the World Team for the 2009 Futures Game.

Right-Handed Starting Pitcher: Jeanmar Gomez, Akron Aeros (10-4, 3.09 ERA)

Since being promoted from Class-A Kinston to Akron on April 29th, right-hander Jeanmar Gomez has been the ace of an Aeros pitching staff that has the best ERA in the league. The 21-year old has started 20 games for the Aeros this season and posted a record of 10-4 with 101 strikeouts and a 3.09 ERA in 113.2 innings of work. Gomez, who is a native of Caracas, Venezuela, was especially impressive when he took the mound on May 21st against the Trenton Thunder at Waterfront Park and became seventh pitcher in Eastern League history to throw a perfect game. The 6’4”, 190 lb. hurler is currently ranked second in the league in ERA (3.09) and WHIP (1.20), is tied for fourth in wins (10) and tied for fifth in strikeouts (101). Jeanmar was the winner of the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week Award for the week ending May 24th and was also chosen as a member of the Southern Division roster for the 2009 Eastern League All-Star Game where he pitched one perfect inning.

Posted in: Carlos Santana,Jeanmar Gomez