Red Sox’s Chavis Wins MVP In Carolina League All-Star Game
SALEM, Va.—A night after Eloy Jimenez, Sicnarf Loopstok and Jake Gatewood made Salem Memorial Park look like the East Coast’s version of Coors Field, the Carolina League’s best pitchers returned the ballfield to its pitcher’s park reputation.
Even with Eloy Jimenez, Victor Robles, Myles Straw, Ryan Mountcastle and a slew of other polished hitters, it was the Carolina League’s pitchers who dominated during Tuesday night’s Carolina League All-Star Game.
Salem Red Sox third baseman Michael Chavis’ first inning two-run double provided the only scoring of the night. After that, a succession of pitchers worked quick innings as the Northern All-Stars topped the Southern All-Stars 2-0.
It was the first shutout in a Carolina League all-star game since the Carolina League topped the California League 3-0 in the 2008 Carolina-California League event.
In Monday night’s Home Run Derby, Loopstok hit 44 home runs in three rounds, derby winner Gatewood hit 41 and Jimenez put on a show, hitting and busting out a light in the stadium light standard sitting above the left-field fence.
On Tuesday, very few balls ever brushed up against the fence and no one threatened to hit a home run.
Chavis was named the game’s MVP. It was an easy choice as Chavis had one of only two extra-base hits in the game in addition to the only RBIs. No pitcher worked two innings, so as effective as the pitching was, it was hard to single out one pitcher above the others.
“This was my first all-star game, with it being my home field and having teammates here with me, it’s really been special,” Chavis said.
Chavis, a first-round pick of the Red Sox in 2014, has had some stumbles during his now four-year pro career. He’s always had power, but his attempts to tap into that power have left him too pull-happy and vulnerable to a pitcher with a plan.
This year, Chavis has adjusted. By being less power-hungry, he’s making more consistent contact. The result is a .323/.393/.650 slash line and 17 home runs in a half season.
“People ask, what’s clicked. It’s honestly just the hard work finally paying off,” he said. “My first two years in pro ball, I tried to do too much. With the hard work, it’s great that it’s paying off.”
Cubs righthander Adbert Alzolay was charged with the loss as he gave up both runs. Royals shortstop Nicky Lopez got things started against Alzolay with a single. Lopez stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch. After a walk to Austin Hays (Orioles), Chavis smoked a double to the left center field to drive both of them in.
Alzolay then got out of the jam by getting Ryan Mountcastle (Orioles) to line out and made a nice play on a comeback line drive by Taylor Gushue (Nationals) to double Chavis off of second base.
The North almost added a third run in the second inning, but a nice quick relay from right fielder Daniel Spingola to second baseman Bryant Flete to catcher Zack Collins nabbed Anderson Miller on a play at the plate as he tried to scored on Chad De La Guerra’s double.
No other baserunner reached scoring position until back-to-back singles by Luis La O and Danny Mendick put runners at first and second against reliever Richard Lovelady, but Lovelady got Isan Diaz to line out to end the jam.
Indians righthander Shao-Ching Chiang, the North’s starter, threw one scoreless inning and was named the winning pitcher.
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