The Indianapolis Indians have placed four players in the Triple-A All-Star game. Outfielder Chris Dickerson, infielder Matt Hague, left-handed pitcher Andy Oliver, and right-handed pitcher Casey Sadler will all represent the Indians for the International League team.
Dickerson has a .315/.404/.482 line in 222 at-bats with six homers. This is the third time he’s been selected to a minor league All-Star team, but the first since 2005 when he was selected to the Florida State League All-Star team. The highlight of his season this year has been a 16-game hitting streak, and 21 games of reaching base safely. Dickerson looks like he could be an option for the Pirates this season as a bench outfielder.
Hague is having a big year from a power standpoint. He’s got a .271/.368/.465 line in 258 at-bats, with 12 doubles and 12 home runs. Hague has always been a doubles hitter, with two separate seasons where he had 37 doubles. He hasn’t hit for a lot of home runs in his career. His best season saw 15 homers in 509 at-bats. His 12 home runs this year ties his best mark in Triple-A, previously set in 2011 in 534 at-bats. His .465 slugging percentage this year is his best mark since his 2008 season in Low-A. He also crushes lefties, with a .948 OPS, and could be an option for the Pirates off the bench or as a Gaby Sanchez injury replacement later this year. This is the third All-Star selection of Hague’s career, and the second time he’s been named to the International League All-Star team (previously 2011).
Oliver is having a good season as the Indianapolis closer, with a 2.08 ERA in 39 innings, along with a 53:25 K/BB ratio. He had a dominant month of June, giving up just one earned run in 10.1 innings, while striking out 11 and walking five. He also converted six saves during that stretch. This is the first time that Oliver has been selected to a minor league All-Star team. Control is still an issue for him, but he could be a lefty relief option for the Pirates later this season.
Sadler has spent time in the majors this year, pitching out of the bullpen. He has worked as a starter in Triple-A, posting a 2.10 ERA in 68.2 innings, with a 43:14 K/BB ratio. This is the second year in a row that he has made a mid-season All-Star team, after being named to the Eastern League squad last year. Sadler should be a depth option for the Pirates in the second half if they need a bullpen arm or a spot starter.
