Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Double and Triple A All-stars announced

New Britain Rock Cats


The Double-A Eastern League All-Star Game will also take place July 16, and three former Miracle will be in it. Left-handed pitcher Ryan Mullins, and infielders Luke Hughes and Steve Tolleson have all been named to the All-star game from the Rock Cats squad. They will be joined by pitcher Ben Julianel who was signed by the Twins as a minor league free agent.

The game is due to be played at Merchantsauto.com Stadium, home of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Hughes, the Rock Cats' 23-year-old handyman extraordinaire who, despite a lengthy stay on New Britain's disabled list earlier this year, continues to either lead or be among the League leaders in several different offensive categories. At the time of today's announcement, the versatile (and now healthy) native of Perth, Australia is batting a lusty .340 with 14 Home Runs and a Slugging Percentage of .621. Earlier this week, Luke was notified of his selection to play for the World Team in the 2008 Futures Game scheduled for Yankee Stadium on Sunday, July 13th.

Tolleson, a 24-year-old University of South Carolina product, is one of 8 Infielders selected for the League's Mid-Summer Classic. Son of former big leaguer Wayne Tolleson - Steve has appeared in 58 games for the 2008 Rock Cats and, while both versatile and steady with the glove, he has shown significant offensive punch in his first trip to the Double-A, Eastern League. At the time of his selection, Steve was 4th in the League in Batting (.335), posting 21 Doubles, 5 HRs and 34 RBI in 58 total games.

Mullins, a 6'6”/202-pound product of Vanderbilt University, is one of just three left-handers on the Northern Division's glittering staff. The lanky 24-year-old native of Nashville, TN has been the Rock Cats most reliable starter in 2008. At the time of his selection, Ryan was 6-6 over 16 starts with an ERA of 3.84.

Julianel, a 28-year-old southpaw from Rancho Madera, CA, will work out of the Northern Division's bullpen – a location from which he has been outstanding for the 2008 Rock Cats. The 6'2”/184-pound lefty is among the Eastern League leaders in both appearances (35) and Saves (15), while his 2.66 ERA has consistently been among the best on entire New Britain staff.

In other news, outfielder Darnell McDonald has been elected to represent the Rochester Red Wings at the Triple-A All-Star Game which is also to be played on Wednesday, July 16, in Louisville. McDonald is in his second season in the Minnesota Twins organization, and is batting .307 (6th in IL) with 48 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 68 games for Rochester thus far this season.

No comments: