McKenna omitted from AFL Fall Stars Game roster

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

October 29, 2018, 11:36am

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A .378 average and 1.149 OPS apparently aren't deemed worthy of inclusion in the upcoming Arizona Fall League's 13th annual Fall Stars Game unless a fan vote rectifies the situation.

Double-A Bowie outfielder Ryan McKenna is conspicuously absent from the West Division roster, which has been released this afternoon. No one in the Orioles organization is represented.

McKenna has crafted a .378/.500/.649 slash line in 10 games with the Glendale Desert Dogs. He's collected four doubles and three triples, driven in five runs and drawn eight walks.

The .378 average ranks fourth in the AFL and the 1.149 OPS is second. The three triples put McKenna in a three-way tie for first.

McKenna, the Yankees' Thairo Estrada and the Rangers' Julio Pablo Martinez made the "Final 2 Vote," with fans able to submit their choices until 2 p.m. Wednesday at www.mlbfallball.com.

Martinez, a center fielder, is batting .295/.380/.477 with three doubles, one triple, one home run and four RBIs in 11 games with Surprise. Estrada, a shortstop, is batting .262/.326/.286 with one double and four RBIs in 10 games with Glendale.

McKenna would seem to have the edge, but it's left to the voters.

He's starting in center field and batting first again today, with Estrada hitting second. Left-hander Chris Lee is starting for the Desert Dogs and Martin Cervenka is catching.

The Fall Stars Game will be played on Saturday at Surprise Stadium and will air on MLB Network.

Scouting and farm directors from every major league organization, in consultation with the Arizona Fall League, selected the players for the annual showcase.