Hu leads trio of Miracle All-Stars
Three Fort Myers Miracle players will represent the franchise for the 54th Florida State League All-Star Game on June 20 at St. Lucie.
Pitchers Chih-Wei Hu and Brandon Peterson join catcher Alex Swim for the FSL South Division squad. Pitcher J.T. Chargois also was selected, but will not play after being promoted to Double-A Chattanooga.
“I am very proud of the four players chosen by the league to represent the Miracle and Minnesota Twins at the 2015 All-Star Game,” said Miracle manager Jeff Smith.
As the reigning 2014 FSL champions, Smith and the Miracle coaching staff will manage the South team in St. Lucie. Pitching coach Ivan Arteaga, hitting coach Jim Dwyer, trainer Alan Rail and strength and conditioning coach Kyle Schutts also make the trip to Tradition Field.
“In my 10 years of managing, this is the sixth time I get to manage an All-Star Game,” said Smith. “It’s always fun to be around the players from the rest of the league.”
Hu, 21, is 4-1 in eight starts with the Miracle and sports the sixth-best earned-run average in the FSL at 2.01. Over 44 2/3 innings, Hu has given up just 13 runs, 10 earned, on 37 hits with only nine walks and 43 strikeouts. The native of Taichung, Taiwan, is fifth in the league in strikeouts per nine innings at 8.66.
Signed as an international free agent in 2012, Hu is in his third professional season and was promoted to Triple-A Rochester for a spot start on May 19. Over six innings, Hu allowed one earned run and struck out six to pick up the victory. Hu won four consecutive starts in the FSL from April 17 to May 6.
“Hu has been one of the best starters in the FSL so far this season,” said Smith. “He is one of those starters you feel like you have a chance to win every time out.”
Peterson, 23, was drafted in the 13th round by the Twins in 2013 out of Wichita State University. Leading the Miracle with 20 appearances out of the bullpen, Peterson has a 1-0 record with two saves in three opportunities. In 30 2/3 innings, he has surrendered only three runs for an ERA of 0.88. Peterson has racked up 42 strikeouts and walked 15.
A native of Savage, Minn., Peterson boasts the second lowest batting average against in the FSL at .139. Opponents have gotten just 14 hits off Peterson in 101 at-bats. Peterson also ranks third in the FSL in highest strikeout ratio at 12.33 and fifth in fewest baserunners allowed per nine innings at 8.51.
“Brandon has taken the ball any time we’ve needed it and continues to get better every time out,” said Smith. “We love the way he competes and he has been very tough against opposing hitters.”
Swim, 24, currently holds the second highest batting average in the FSL at .332 and is tops in the league in hits with 68. While playing catcher, first base and right field, Swim has collected five doubles, 22 RBI, 21 runs scored and five stolen bases. His on-base percentage is .360 and he has walked nine times and has only 19 strikeouts. Swim is the third most difficult hitter to strike out in the FSL, fanning once every 11.32 at-bats.
Drafted by the Twins in 2013 out of Elon University, Swim is in his third season as a professional and is a native of Greensboro, N.C.
“Alex has been among the league leaders in batting average and hits since day one,” said Smith. “He has maintained his consistency and approach while playing three positions for us. He puts together professional at-bats and rarely throws any away.”
Chargois, 24, was called up to Chattanooga on May 24 after making 16 appearances in relief. Hitting 100 mph on the Hammond Stadium radar gun, Chargois was a perfect 4-for-4 in save opportunities over 15 innings on the hill. He totaled 19 strikeouts and issued just five walks while compiling a 1-0 record and a 2.40 ERA.
The All-Star Game starts at 7 p.m. in St. Lucie. The Home Run Derby precedes the game at 5 p.m.