Six Reading players honored as Double-A Eastern League All-Stars

With the unveiling of the Double-A Eastern League All-Star rosters on Thursday, it was announced that six Reading Fightin Phils players have been honored to play in the annual exhibition that is set to take place in Akron, OH on Wednesday, July 13th.

Catcher Jorge Alfaro, first baseman Rhys Hoskins, outfielder Dylan Cozens, infielder Jesmuel Valentin, starting pitcher Nick Pivetta and reliever Hoby Milner are slated to take part in the EL All-Star Game.

Cozens, who is tied with teammate Hoskins for the minor league lead in home runs with 21, was thankful for the chance to represent Reading and the Phillies in the league’s midsummer classic.

“It feels good to get recognized and to get the opportunity to play with some of the best guys in minor league baseball,” Cozens said.

Overall in 77 games Cozens has a .276 average, 22 doubles and 62 RBI to go along with his remarkable home run  total.  The 22-year-old was the Phillies’ 2nd round draft selection in 2012.

Alfaro, 23, sports a .291 average with nine homers and 42 RBI in 51 games played this year.  The righty batting backstop was acquired from Texas as part of the Cole Hamels trade last year.

Hoskins sports a .291 average with 62 RBI in 74 games for Reading this season.  The 23-year-old was the Phils’ 5th round draft choice in 2014 out of Sacramento State.

Valentin, primarily a second baseman, has tallied a .285 average with four home runs and 36 RBI through 68 games.  The 23-year-old was originally a supplementary 1st round pick of the Dodgers, before he was acquired by the Phils as part of the Roberto Hernandez trade in 2014.

Pivetta, a righty, sports a 7-4 record with a 3.31 ERA and a 8.02 K/9 mark in 16 starts this season.  The 23-year-old Canadian was acquired last summer from the Nationals in the Jonathan Papelbon trade after originally being a 4th round pick in 2013.

Milner was the Phillies’ 7th round draft selection in 2012.  Through 24 outings, the Texas product has a 4-1 record with two saves and a 1.97 ERA.

Reading, the reigning Eastern Division champions, will also send manager Dusty Wathan, pitching coach Steve Schrenk as well as athletic trainer Aaron Scott to fill out the Eastern Division coaching staff.