Johnson named SAL Annual All-Star

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (August 29, 2013) - The South Atlantic League has named Kannapolis Intimidators second baseman Micah Johnson to the league's Annual All-Star Team in 2013, announced today by SAL President Eric Krupa. Johnson, the Minor League leader in stolen bases, appeared in 77 games with the Intimidators, Class A Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, before earning a promotion to Class A-Advanced Winston-Salem on July 3.

Johnson, 22, hit .342 (104-304) with Kannapolis, the second-highest average in the SAL behind Asheville shortstop Rosell Herrera, who was named Most Outstanding Major League Prospect and league MVP. The South Atlantic League recognized Johnson as its All-Star Game MVP after he helped lead the Northern Division to a 2-1 win over the Southern Division in the June 18 exhibition in Lakewood, N.J. At the time of his promotion to Winston-Salem, Johnson ranked Top 10 in the SAL in a dozen offensive categories.

The White Sox selected Johnson in the ninth round of the June 2012 First-Year Player Draft, and he made his professional debut that year with Advanced Rookie Great Falls. He built his Minor League lead in stolen bases by setting a new franchise single-season record with 61 stolen bases with Kannapolis, which still ranks second on the circuit, as do his 11 triples.

Johnson is the first Kannapolis player to be named to the SAL Annual All-Star Team since the Intimidators placed first baseman Dan Black and outfielder Brady Shoemaker on the 2011 SAL Annual All-Star Team. Overall this season, he is batting .315/.378/.460 in 126 games between Kannapolis and Winston-Salem while running his stolen bases total to 83. His 104 runs scored rank fourth in the Minors.

The South Atlantic League 2013 Annual All-Star Team was voted on by the 14 SAL teams' field managers, general managers, sports writers and broadcasters for a total of 56 votes.

2013 South Atlantic League All-Star Team

Manager - Tripp Keister (Hagerstown)
Coach - Frank Viola (Savannah)
RH Pitcher - Tyler Glasnow (West Virginia)
LH Pitcher - Daniel Stumpf (Lexington)
Relief Pitcher - Shae Simmons (Rome)
Catcher - Tom Murphy (Asheville)
First Baseman - Greg Bird (Charleston)
Second Baseman - Micah Johnson (Kannapolis)
Shortstop - Rosell Herrera (Asheville)
Third Baseman - Joey Gallo (Hickory)
Utility Infielder - Tony Renda (Hagerstown)
Outfielder - Francisco Sosa (Asheville)
Outfielder - Nick Williams (Hickory)
Outfielder - Josh Bell (West Virginia)
Utility Outfielder - Cameron Flynn (Greensboro)
Designated Hitter - Ryan Rua (Hickory)
Most Outstanding Pitcher - Gabriel Ynoa (Savannah)
Most Outstanding MLB Prospect - Rosell Herrera (Asheville)
Most Valuable Player - Rosell Herrera (Asheville)

The Intimidators return to CMC-NorthEast Stadium on Friday for a four-game series against Hagerstown to wrap up the 2013 season. For ticket and promotional information, fans can call the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or visit intimidatorsbaseball.com.