Myers, Verdugo named to All-PCI team

KANSAS CITY, MO (August 27, 2012) – The Pacific Coast League today announced its 12-member All-PCL team for the 2012 season.  The Omaha Storm Chasers, Kansas City’s Triple-A affiliate, were represented on the team by outfielder Wil Myers and left-handed pitcher Ryan Verdugo.  The team was selected by a vote from the league’s field managers, general managers and media.

Myers, 21, opened the 2012 campaign at Double-A Northwest Arkansas and appeared in 35 games before a promotion to Omaha.  For the Storm Chasers, he’s hitting .296 (105-for-355) with 15 doubles, four triples, 22 home runs and 73 RBI in 92 games.  Overall, Myers’ 35 home runs are tied with Darin Ruff for the most in minor league baseball while his 103 RBI are tied for sixth.  The Royals third round selection in 2009 collected two hits and drove in three runs for the U.S. squad at the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in Kansas City on July 8 and then three days later was selected the “Star of Stars” for the Pacific Coast League in the Triple-A All-Star Game after recording two hits, including a double, with an RBI and a run scored.

Verdugo, 25, is 12-3 with a 3.37 ERA in 25 appearances, including 22 starts, for Omaha.  He also made one start for Kansas City at the big league level.  Acquired from the San Francisco Giants on November 7, 2011, Verdugo has allowed just 105 hits in 131.0 innings with 116 strikeouts.  His 3.37 ERA is second in the Pacific Coast League while his 12 wins places him tied for third.  The LSU product tossed a scoreless inning with a walk and a strikeout in the PCL’s 3-0 win over the International League in the Triple-A All-Star Game on July 11.