Four Blue Jays players named to triple-A All-Star game

The Blue Jays triple-A affiliate in Buffalo has been one of the hottest clubs in minor league baseball, improving their record to 46-34 with another win last night

The Toronto Blue Jays will be well represented at the triple-A All-Star game as the Buffalo Bisons are one of only two teams to be sending four representatives to the International League team.

Drew Hutchison, Jesus Montero, Ben Rowen, and Dustin Antolin have earned the nod for Buffalo, and will be part of a 30-player International League side that takes on the Pacific Coast League All-Stars on July 13th in Charlotte, North Carolina.

From the official news release on Wednesday, the following outlines how the IL roster was selected:

The 2016 International League All-Star squad is made up of 13 elected players who have received the most votes from ballots submitted by club’s field managers and general managers (1/3), members of the media (1/3), and online fan voting (1/3). The elected players are joined by 17 additional All-Stars selected by the International League office. Each of the IL’s fourteen clubs will be represented in Charlotte.

Drew Hutchison  –  (6-3), 2.78 ERA, 1.06 WHIP

Hutchison has done exactly what the Blue Jays had hoped: excelled at the triple-A level and remained ready for the call. Trailing only Tyler Glasnow in strikeout within the International League, Hutchison holds a 6-3 record with a 2.78 ERA. Given the recent trade of Wade LeBlanc, the right-hander now represents the unrivaled ace of Buffalo’s staff and is a lock to be the next arm up when Toronto is in need of a spot start. Given the heavy schedule leading into the MLB All-Star break, that could be coming soon.

Jesus Montero  –  .312 AVG, 9 HR, 47 RBI

While Montero’s defensive limitation’s and the lack of an MLB-level need has kept him with Buffalo, he’s certainly earned a shot with a great offensive season. Representing the top source of power and run production in the Bisons’ lineup, Montero leads the team with an .808 OPS.

Ben Rowen  –  28 G, 1.85 ERA, 1.15 WHIP

I recently highlighted Rowen as an organizational arm that’s more than earned his shot. The submarine reliever has posted excellent numbers for the Bisons again this season, leading the bullpen in appearances and forcing ground balls at a very high rate. His abnormal delivery and low velocities don’t jump off the screen as an MLB relief option, but his results are impossible to ignore.

Dustin Antolin  –  27 G, 2.41 ERA, 1.31 WHIP

Along with Rowen, Antolin has been a rock in the Bisons’ bullpen this season. Blue Jays fans may be familiar with his name after a brief MLB stint, but at the triple-A level, he’s struck out 40 batters over 33.2 innings and collected eight saves along the way (a role he’s shared with David Aardsma and, more recently, Ryan Tepera). He leads Buffalo in games finished with 19.

Next: What Floyd's injury means for the Blue Jays bullpen

-Statistics taken prior to Wednesday night play