Spinners Send Five To NY-Penn League All-Star Game

The Lowell Spinners, Class-A Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, announced today that five members of the 2009 team have been selected as New York-Penn League All-Stars, hosted by the State College Spikes Tuesday, August 18.

Representing the Spinners are: starting pitcher Jose Alvarez; infielder Derrik Gibson; first baseman Chris McGuiness; designated hitter Ryan Westmoreland; and a late addition to the squadstarting pitcher Yeiper Castillo.

Alvarez, 20, has been one of the two aces of the Spinners staff, combining with Yeiper Castillo to help the Spinners to a 2.94 team ERA. Alvarez, who had been pitching out of the bullpen for Hi-A Salem before joining the Spinners rotation before the start of the season, has been dominant for Lowell, recording a 5-3 record with a 1.74 ERA, third best in the league. In 57 innings pitched, Alvarez sports a 36:8 K:BB ratio.

McGuiness, 21, the Red Sox 13th round selection out of The Citadel in 2009, currently leads the Spinners with 31 RBI, second in the NY-Penn League. The Spinners first baseman is batting .255 for the season with a team leading 14 doubles, ranking third in the league, and six home runs, tied for the team lead with Westmoreland.

Earlier this season McGuiness set a Spinners franchise record with six straight games with an extra-base hit, part of a 13-game hitting streak from July 17-30.

Westmoreland, 19, has excelled during is his first season as a professional, leading the Spinners in most statistical categories. The Portsmouth, RI native has severed as the Spinners designated hitter this season, as he continues his recovery from off-season shoulder surgery.

Westmoreland is batting .287 with eight doubles, two triples and six home runs, while recording 14 stolen bases without being caught. The Spinners most consistent player in 2009, Westmoreland reached base in each of his first 25 games as a professional, by hit or walk.

Gibson, 19, got off to a torrid start for the Spinners in 2009, batting .471 in 10 June games earning Player of the Month honors from the Red Sox organization. After a nasty slump saw his average drop to .223 July 23, Gibson has been hot again at the plate bringing his average back to .282 for the season while stealing a league leading 20 bases, being caught just four times.

The 2008 second-round draft pick is approaching the Spinners single season stolen base record of 28, set by Matt Van Der Bosch in 2004.

Castillo, 20, has been dominant since joining the Spinners from Low-A Greenville, earning the Opening Night start. In 10 starts Castillo is 3-1 with a 2.04 ERA, sixth best in the New York-Penn League. In 53 innings pitched coming into tonight Castillo has 49 strikeouts and has held opposing batters to a .214 average.

The All-Star game pits the best players from NYPL American League affiliated teams against their counterpart National League affiliates.

For more information please contact Jon Boswell at 978-805-5117 or via email at [e-mail].

The previous story is excerpted from a Press Release by the Lowell Spinners. Todd Civin is a freelance writer for the Bleacher Report and Seamheads. He can be reached at [e-mail] for hire or comments or on Facebook, Linked-in and Twitter. He is a supporter of A Glove of Their Own, the award winning children's story that teaches sharing through baseball. He encourages you to visit the site and to purchase the book using the code of JNF 636, The Joe Niekro Foundation.