Six Big Train Players Named to Ripken League All-Star Team

  Photo by Matthew Lewyn

BETHESDA, Md. — As the Big Train tries to take first place in the North Division tonight against the Olney Cropdusters, the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League announced its All-Star Team on Friday.

Six Bethesda players were named to the roster:

Brennon Wright by Matthew Lewyn

2B - Brennon Wright (South Alabama)

Returning from last season’s championship-winning team, Wright has shown his value to the Big Train in 19 games played this season. The Starkville, Mississippi, native has the third-best on-base percentage for Bethesda among players with over 10 games played. The mark also ranks 12th in the Ripken League.

Additionally, Wright has produced a .324 batting average and .844 OPS. His speed on the basepaths has also been abundant for the Big Train, as Wright has stolen eight bases without being caught. He’s tied with Logan Ponnett (George Mason) for third-best on Bethesda and tied for 17th in the league.

Cal Johnson by Matthew Lewyn

SS - Cal Johnson (Maryland)

Johnson has showcased his power all season for the Big Train. In 22 games played, he has launched five home runs, tied for the second most in the Ripken League. Johnson also has produced a .619 slugging percentage, which is fourth-best in the League, and a tied-for-league-leading three triples.

The Tampa, Florida, native produced two home runs in a 14-1 victory over the D.C. Grays on June 27 and had an even more special moment with a walk-off home run against the Gaithersburg Giants on June 21 in front of his father. The powerful hitting from Johnson has also led him to a league-leading 52 total bases.

Zachary Malvasio by Matthew Lewyn

OF - Zachary Malvasio (UCF)

Even though the two-way player closed Thursday night’s 6-5 victory over the Alexandria Aces, Malvasio was named to the All-Star Team through his hitting abilities. Malvasio hit two homers during Wednesday’s 5-3 win over the Cropdusters, which gave him the lone spot at the top of the home run leaderboard. It was his first home run since June 18, but Malvasio’s power bat has propelled the Big Train to wins this season.

The Southwest Ranches, Florida, native stands at second in the Ripken League for slugging percentage with a .672 mark. His .343 batting average is tied for 12th in the league and second on Bethesda. He is one of six outfielders selected to the Ripken League team and will look to provide the All-Star Game with long-ball threats.

Emilio Gonzalez by Matthew Lewyn

DH - Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern)

Coming off a Triple Crown-winning season last year, Gonzalez hasn’t seen the same highs as last season but is one of the most reliable players for the Big Train. Gonzalez has compiled the tied-for-fifth most hits in the Ripken League at 26 and the seventh-highest batting average on the Big Train at .313.

Gonzalez has been counted on to bring runners home in scoring positions, as he has the second-most RBIs on Bethesda with 21. The mark also ranks tied for seventh in the Ripken League. Even though he won’t show it in the All-Star Game, Gonzalez has also made hard plays look routine when playing first base this season.

Bryce Dolby by Matthew Lewyn

RHP - Bryce Dolby (Cal State Bakersfield)

Dolby has started six games for the Big Train this season, which is the most starting appearances on the mound in the Ripken League this season. He has translated his opportunities into a 3.60 ERA and 20 strikeouts. His strikeout total ranks second for Bethesda, along with his 20.0 innings pitched this season.

The Ashburn, Virginia, native has only given up eight earned runs this season. He recorded two strikeouts and went four innings against the Cropdusters on Wednesday in his time on the mound. Dolby’s best performance of the season came in an eight-strikeout game against the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts on June 24.

Kyzer Smith by Matthew Lewyn

RHP - Kyzer Smith (Florida Atlantic) 

It’s time to break out the magnifying glasses, as Smith has given up a minuscule 1.00 ERA this season, which ranks second in the Ripken League. Smith has thrown the third-most innings among pitchers with under a 2.00 ERA. In eight relief appearances this season, he has racked up a 2-1 record with one save.

His only save of the season came against the Thunderbolts on June 24, as Smith produced two innings of work, only giving up two hits and one run. In total, the Stonewall, Louisiana, native has put together 25 strikeouts — which is tied for second in the league — a 1.06 WHIP and a .203 batting average against.

The All-Star Game will take place at 7 p.m. on July 7 at Shirley Povich Field. The Ripken League will host the 12-team Valley Baseball League. Tickets can be found on the Ripken League website.