"Fortunately I've had one at almost every level," Recker said. "This is my first in Triple-A. I've got the quad trifecta or, um, whatever you want to call it."

Recker was a Midwest League All-Star with Kane County in 2006, a California League All-Star with Stockton in '07, a Texas League All-Star with Midland in '08 and this past week he was selected for his first Pacific Coast League All-Star Team.

"I've been a starter I think three, maybe all four times," Recker said. "I was a starter at Low-A. I was a starter in High-A, but I was the DH. I think I was supposed to be the reserve at Double-A, but the starter got hurt."

Recker, who splits the catching duties at Sacramento with Josh Donaldson, was named the PCL's starting catcher for the upcoming Triple-A All-Star Game in Salt Lake on July 13.

"This is the first league where all 30 teams are considered for one All-Star Game," Recker said. "It's definitely an honor. It's definitely a much tougher selection.

"It's just nice to be known as one of the better players in the PCL."

Recker has played well this year, batting .300 (76-for-253) with 12 home runs and 34 RBIs. It represents the continuation of what has been a fairly remarkable climb through the Minors for a player who has never really been considered a prospect.

The 27-year-old was an 18th-round Draft pick by Oakland in 2005 out of tiny Alvernia College in Reading, Pa.

"It's the only way I'd want to go," Recker said. "I like the harder route, the tougher route. Going to a small school like that, I was fortunate to get drafted. To be given the opportunity I've been given has been amazing.

"Now that I'm here [in the Minors], now that I made it, I wasn't going to let the opportunity go. I've been working my butt off, trying to get up. I appreciate all the faith the A's have shown in me."

While Recker has spent his entire career in the Oakland farm system, he is aware of the situation as far as catching goes with the A's. Fellow 27-year-old Kurt Suzuki is Oakland's starter, backed up by Landon Powell, 29, a former first-round Draft pick. Donaldson, 25, is on the 40-man roster, leaving Recker fourth on the team's catching depth chart.

Recker can become a Minor League free agent after the season if he does not get added to the 40-man, which makes the Triple-A All-Star Game even more important for him.

"Any time you get to play in front of this many teams and coaches, whether it be [International League] or PCL, it's definitely a big opportunity to showcase your talents and hopefully get noticed," Recker said.

Record setter: Memphis first baseman-outfielder Nick Stavinoha set a club record with his solo home run in the eighth inning of Thursday's 3-1 win over Oklahoma City. Stavinoha's blast was the 58th of his career with the Redbirds. He passed John Gall to become the team's all-time leader.

Ailing ace: Round Rock is in the midst of a hot streak, having won 11 of its last 14 games and pushing its lead in the American South Division to a season-high six games over Albuquerque. It was not all good news for the Express, however, as ace right-hander Neil Ramirez (4-3, 3.80 ERA) lasted just two innings in his last start Tuesday and was placed on the seven-day disabled list Friday with arm fatigue.

Prospect swap: When Seattle recently called up Dustin Ackley, it cost Tacoma its top prospect and starting second baseman. To make amends, the Mariners promoted another second base prospect, Kyle Seager, from Double-A to join the Rainiers. So far Seager has been a force of nature, batting .512 (21-for-41) with a home run and nine RBIs in his first nine games.