June 3, 2014 at 10:52 AM
Asuaje, Witte, Gunkel, and Romanski named to SAL All-Star team
Romanski will serve as the Southern Division's starting catcher when the South and North square off on June 17. Romanski, 23, earned the nod with a strong season that has seen him hit .302/.329/.403 across 40 games played. A 14th-round draft pick in 2013, Romanski is in the top-three on the Drive with 48 hits, 29 RBI and 7 stolen bases
Asuaje and Witte meanwhile were selected as utility infielders for the South. Asuaje has seen time at second and third as well as left field. Asuaje's seven triples and 32 walks pace Greenville. An 11th-rounder in 2013, Asuaje ranks second on the Drive in batting average, runs, hits, doubles, home runs, RBI, and on-base percentage.
Witte on the other hand is the Drive's statistical leader, pacing nearly every offensive category. His on-base percentage, batting average and slugging percentage lead not only the Drive, but also the South Atlantic league as a whole. Witte also leads the league with 45 runs scored and 23 doubles. The 24th-round selection in 2013 was recently named SoxProspects.com Player of the Month.
Gunkel, 22, is Greenville's only pitcher to earn the All-Star nod. Gunkel was moved into the starting rotation towards the end of May and the results have been impressive. As a starter Gunkel is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in three games, amassing 15 innings pitched. Out of the bullpen, Gunkel was that much more impressive. In 24 innings spanning 12 games, the 2013 18th-rounder pitched himself to a 1-0 record with a 1.50 ERA while striking out 33 batters and walking only five.
Fenster is in his first season as the Drive's manager after serving as the team's hitting coach in 2012 and manager of the GCL Red Sox in 2013. Abbott has spent the last two seasons as Greenville's pitching coach and 2011 in the same role for the Lowell Spinners.
Photo Credit: Jake Romanski by Kelly O'Connor
Photo Credit: Jake Romanski by Kelly O'Connor