It was all Midwest League East Stars on Tuesday night from Dozer Field, home of the Peoria Chiefs. The East Stars were dominant in all aspects of the game, from lights out pitching to big bats. When it was all said and done, the East took down the West All Stars 5-0.
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Toronto Blue Jays prospect Ryan McBroom had quite the evening, putting on a performance that merits changing his name to McBOOM. The 23-year old first base prospect who was apparently a steal in the 15th round of last year’s draft, started the night off slugging his way to the Midwest Home Run Derby championship.
“It was different. I’d never done anything like that before,” said Lansing’s Ryan McBroom to MiLB.com. “I just tried to pull everything. I just wanted to have fun with it.”
McBroom wouldn’t stop there. Come game time, McBroom would slide into the East Division’s DH slot, batting cleanup in the lineup. Toronto Blue Jays No. 18 prospect and McBroom’s Lansing Lugnut teammate Anthony Alford got the East rolling stealing a base after drawing a leadoff walk. Two batters later, McBroom would put the game out of reach for good.
The East Division would lead a balanced offensive attack with eight hits. Only one batter, the Detroit Tigers No. 29 ranked prospect Michael Gerber had a multi-hit night going 2-for-5. Four different players drove in all four runs, with one run scoring unearned.
Pitching was also king for the East Division, as 14 pitchers combined in a sensational performance. Three hits, no runs, one walk and 16 strikeouts filled the box score with dominance. The Chicago Cubs No. 28 prospect started off the performance, and would become the Midwest League All Star Game MVP in doing so.
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“I was a little nervous at first, but they got me a lead and that was good,” Null told MiLB.com. “It was a good environment to play in. I pitched to the guys the same way I would in a regular game.”
Null would pitch only the opening inning, but he would set the tone for the night. He struck out the side while allowing one hit in between. Null is amid a great season for the South Bend Cubs, posting a 6-2 record with a 2.33 ERA and 1.10 WHIP.
Remarkably, in a night where the West Division could only muster three hits, Houston Astros No. 24 prospect Jacob Nottingham wouldn’t go down without a fight. The 20-year old catching prospect was the lone highlight for the West going 2-for-2 on the night. All three hits they registered were singles.