Heyward named to U.S. Futures Team

Myrtle Beach Pelicans outfielder Jason Heyward has added another accolade in a 2009 campaign already blossoming with accomplishments.

Today, Major League Baseball announced Heyward as one of 25 minor leaguers who will represent the United States in the 11th annual XM All-Star Futures Game.

Heyward, 19, has spent all season with the Pelicans, seeing action in 41 games this year. The outfielder is batting .288 with nine home runs and 23 runs batted in for Myrtle Beach.  Heyward was named Carolina League Player of the Week for May 11-17, having batted .319 (6-for-19) with three home runs, five runs batted in, five walks and just one strikeout over that span. He was named to the Carolina League All-Star Team as well, one of only two Pelicans, along with fellow outfielder Cody Johnson, to receive the honor.

As the Braves’ 2007 first round (14th overall) draft selection, the McDonough, Georgia native joined the Pelicans for seven games at the end of 2008 after lighting up the South Atlantic League in 120 contests with the Rome Braves. Heyward was named to the circuit’s Mid- and Postseason All-Star teams last year and was named a 2008 Baseball America First-Team Minor League All-Star. Baseball America also recognized Heyward as the second-best overall prospect in the Braves’ minor league system entering the 2009 season behind current big leaguer Tommy Hanson.

Heyward will join the United States’ stars in the Futures Game on Sunday, July 12 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The U.S. team, to be managed by Cardinals legend Ozzie Smith, will compete against a World Team featuring players from 11 different countries. Other players notable to Pelicans fans include current Carolina Leaguers Danny Duffy (Wilmington), Casey Kelly (Salem) and Danny Espinosa (Potomac) as well as former Pelican and current Chicago White Sox prospect Tyler Flowers on the United States team. Baltimore Orioles farmhand Brian Matusz, who started the year with the Carolina League’s Frederick Keys, will also be on the roster from his current Double-A Bowie Baysox squad.

The Pelicans open a seven-game road trip tonight at Lynchburg before returning home for the first Fourth of July home series in franchise history from the 2nd through the 5th. Tickets are available at the BB&T Coastal Field box office, by calling the Pelicans at (843) 918-6000 or by visiting the Tickets page at MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.