Klein Named WCL All-Star
Michael Klein pitching for the Drifters. (Photo by Alyssa Garcia)
SPRINGFIELD — As announced on Tuesday morning, West Coast League Commissioner Rob Neyer has named Springfield Drifters Left-Handed Pitcher Michael Klein to the 2026 WCL All-Star Game. Klein, a senior from Rogers State University, has been one of the best pitchers in the WCL this season. The Fresno, California, native currently leads the WCL with 34 strikeouts and has a robust 1.13 ERA across a league-high 15 appearances. Klein, who gave up just one earned run during the Drifters’ first game of the season on May 29th, has had 13 straight appearances out of the bullpen without giving up an earned run. The southpaw closer has five saves on the season, which is good for second in the in the league. According to NWBaseballStats.com, Klein has a 66% strike rate and a 38% whiff rate on the season while 40% of the batters he’s faced have been retired in three or fewer pitches.
The WCL All-Star Game will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15th, at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The game will be live-streamed on MLB.com, MLB.tv, the MLB app and the Victoria HarbourCats YouTube channel with Victoria’s Warren Dean calling the game from the Wilson’s Group Stadium booth. A home run derby will take place at 6:35 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14th, with former MLB Player Kevin Pillar participating. Tickets are available online at HarbouCats.com.