If you didn’t get your fill of baseball during MLB All-Star Week, there’s good news: the stars are still out. Tonight in Troy, New York, the Frontier League All-Star Game takes center stage at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium, and the newly formed Mississippi Mud Monsters are sending a strong message to the rest of the league.
In just their first season as a franchise, the Mud Monsters are making noise. The Mud Monsters have 30-27 record at the All-Star break and are tied with the Washington Wild Things for the last wildcard spot in the Frontier League Playoffs. Also four players from their roster were selected to represent the Midwest Conference All-Stars: Travis Holt, Brian Williams, Victor Diaz, and Sergio Sanchez.
Travis Holt – Second Base
Holt has been a staple in the infield for the Mud Monsters since Opening Day. A former standout at High Point and Butler University, Holt’s quick hands, sharp footwork, and keen eye at the plate have made him one of the most consistent middle infielders in the league. He’s slashing .300/.365/.465 with 9 home runs, and top-tier defensive metrics earned him a well-deserved reserve spot on the All-Star roster. He’s the kind of guy who turns double plays with flair and ropes doubles down the line like clockwork. For fans at Trustmark Park, he’s already become a fan favorite, thanks to his hustle-first mentality and smooth play in the field. Holt is in his fourth year of independent baseball and spent last year with the Billings Mustangs and Yolo High Wheelers of the Pioneer League.
Brian Williams – Right-Handed Pitcher
The Mud Monsters’ breakout ace, Brian Williams, gets the honor of starting tonight’s game for the Midwest squad. A towering presence on the mound with a mid-90s fastball and a wipeout slider, Williams has been nearly unhittable during stretches this season. The Texas Southern product boasts a 5–2 record with a 2.44 ERA and 81 strikeouts over 64.2 innings. Williams played the past two years with the Independent Idaho Falls Chukars of the Pioneer League.
Victor Diaz – Catcher
Behind every great pitching staff is a trusted backstop, and for the Mud Monsters, that’s been Victor Diaz. The All-Star reserve catcher has not only managed the staff with precision but added offensive production that few expected. He’s slashing .270/.314/.419 with four home runs and 27 RBIs while throwing out 42% of attempted base stealers. Diaz is one of the more experienced players on the Mud Monsters roster. The 23 year old product from Azua, Dominican Republican has played the last four years in the Astros farm system, advancing as high as Low A ball with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers of the Carolina League, whom he played for last season.
Sergio Sanchez – Right Handed Pitcher
Rounding out Mississippi’s All-Star quartet is a late addition to the All-Star Game in Sergio Sanchez, a right-handed reliever who has quietly become one of the most reliable bullpen arms in the league. With a deceptive delivery and a lively fastball-slider combo, Sanchez has racked up strikeouts while maintaining a 4.64 ERA across 20 appearances. He’s often used in high-leverage spots—bridging the gap to the closer or locking down multi-inning saves. A native of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic he also has minor league experience playing the past four seasons in the Colorado Rockies farm system, advancing as high as High A ball with the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League last year.
The 2025 Frontier League All-Star Game kicks off tonight at 7:05 p.m. EST at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. The event brings together top talent from both the Midwest and West Conferences and is hosted by the Tri-City ValleyCats.
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