The
Pacific Coast League and International League have announced the teams that
will represent their respective circuits in the 15th annual Triple-A All-Star
Game.
The
contest will be played July 10th at SBC Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City.
Each squad features minor league baseball's best young talent.
Both
teams were selected by club field personnel, media representatives, and
league administrators. The event marks the fifth consecutive season that
teams representing the Pacific Coast League and International League have
met.
The
prior 10 meetings have pitted National League affiliates against their counterparts
in the American League.
Once
again, the PCL will have no shortage of power hitters for use by All-Star
Manager Dan Rohn(Tacoma).
Leading
the way is Edmonton outfielder Mike Ryan, who leads the league in both homers,
(21) and runs batted in (61).
He is
joined by fellow Trappers outfielder Mike Cuddyer, who's hitting .336, and
is tied for second in home runs (17), as well as first baseman Todd Sears,
who is first in the league in hitting (.357) and third in RBI (54).
The
Pacific Coast League's second leading hitter, Omaha's Aaron Guiel, who's
hitting .352, will also be featured on the squad along with Calgary third
baseman Jason Wood (.336).
Tucson
first baseman/DH Lyle Overbay (.338) MLN Fab-50. Las Vegas second baseman
Joe Thurston-MLN-Fab-50, PCL leader in hits with 102, will also appear with
Salt Lake backstop Jose Molina (.312).
Toeing
the rubber for the Pacific Coast League club will be Tacoma right-hander
Ken Cloude, who's tied for first in wins (9) and has an ERA of just 2.18.
Meanwhile,
New Orleans lefties Wayne Franklin (6-4 2.78 ERA) and Jeriome Robertson
(9-3 2.71) will join righty reliever Jim Mann (14 saves) from the PCL's
best pitching staff.
Besides
Mann, the Pacific Coast League bullpen will feature league save leader Dave
Lundquist (20) from Portland and Fresno reliever Manny Aybar (17 saves).
