Nashville's Wooten selected for PCL All-Star team

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on July 3, 2013 1:47 PM

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NASHVILLE -- Good things usually happen unexpectedly.

Rob Wooten is living proof these days.

The Nashville Sounds right-hander got the news late Tuesday evening that he's been selected as a reserve pitcher for the Pacific Coast League in the 2013 Triple-A All-Star Game on July 17 in Reno, Nevada.

"It's pretty cool," said Wooten during a telephone interview Wednesday afternoon after batting practice before the Sounds' home game against Pacific Coast League foe Round Rock.

"Obviously, I'm honored. I can't say I saw this coming, but it did. I knew I was having a pretty good first half of the season, but you can never expect something like this. I'm anxious to get over there and have the experience of playing in the All-Star game."

The All-Star selection is the second midseason honor of Wooten's six-year professional career. He was previously recognized as a Florida State League All-Star in 2009.

An avid country music fan, Wooten has kept his swagger he developed during spring training with the Milwaukee Brewers. He is tied for second in the PCL with a team-leading 17 saves and has compiled a 2.40 earned run average.

Opposing teams are batting .205 against Wooten, who has recorded 41 strikeouts in 45 innings of work. The Fremont native has made 33 mound appearances and has earned a save in 12 of his last 14 outings.

"This league is known as a hitter's league because the ball just flies in all of the parks," Wooten said. "A lot of batters will get themselves out when you pitch to contact. I'm not trying to throw down the middle of the plate, but fill up the strike zone with good pitches and work both sides of the corners.

"You just want to do the best you can to get these guys out and it's working so far."

A Triple-A affiliate of the Brewers, the Sounds (30-56 overall) had their modest two-game win streak snapped in a 6-3 loss to Round Rock on Tuesday evening. The Express exited as the PCL's American Southern Division leader.

Wooten hopes the team rebounds after the All-Star break.

"We have played some pretty good ball lately," Wooten said. "I hope to continue what I'm doing and get that other phone call we all dream about."