Colabello, Hawpe ahead in fan voting

NEW YORK -- Rochester first baseman Chris Colabello and Salt Lake veteran Brad Hawpe emerged as the top vote-getters in Triple-A All-Star Game voting through two weeks as fans continue to make their voices heard.

The pair of veterans could be headed to Reno on July 17 if fans have their way, joining a growing list of baseball's top prospects that currently includes Durham's Wil Myers, Pawtucket's Bryce Brentz, Louisville's Tony Cingrani, Reno's Chris Owings, Las Vegas' Zack Wheeler and Sacramento's Michael Choice.

The fan vote counts toward one-third of the overall balloting process as field managers and media will also have a chance to make their picks this month.

Colabello, 29, is batting .362 with 12 homers, 43 RBIs and a .421 on-base percentage for the Red Wings. After spending much of his career in an independent league, the 6-foot-4 first baseman finally reached the Majors this season, appearing in seven games for the Twins, and now leads all Triple-A players in votes.

Hawpe, 34, has spent most of his last 10 seasons in the Majors. The Angels called him up June 8 for the first time since 2011. At Salt Lake, he's batting .305 with six homers, 28 RBIs and a .405 OBP. The veteran outfielder, a National League All-Star in 2009, ranks second in voting in his first season with the Angels.

The leaderboard also has a few new names. Charlotte's Josh Phegley overtook Pawtucket's Ryan Lavarnway behind the plate on the International League roster, while Sacramento's Sonny Gray passed the recently promoted Michael Wacha as one of two starters for the Pacific Coast League roster.

Some current leaders are also in the Majors, like Cingrani and Albuquerque catcher Tim Federowicz. Wheeler is expected to make his Major League debut as soon as next Tuesday.

Noticeably missing from the fans' ballot: Billy Hamilton. The Reds' No. 1 prospect, who made headlines last year after stealing 155 bases, fell out of the leaders for the IL's three outfield spots, replaced by Toledo's Nick Castellanos. Hamilton is 40-for-47 in stolen base attempts this year but is batting .251 with three homers and 21 RBIs for Louisville.

And then there's former Reno Aces first baseman Kila Ka'aihue, who continues to lead both the PCL in home runs and on the PCL ballot at first. The Major League veteran, however, was released two weeks ago by the D-backs and has since signed a one-year deal with the Hiroshima Carp of Japan's Central League. Fans continue to vote for the slugger, although he is not currently eligible to play in the All-Star Game. Despite last playing on May 31, Ka'aihue still leads the league with 16 homers, 50 RBIs and a .426 OBP.

Fans can continue voting for the rosters until 11:59 PM ET on Wednesday, June 26. All fans who vote on MiLB.com will receive a free preview pass for MiLB.TV. Those who vote can select starters at every position on the field, along with a designated hitter, two starting pitchers and a pair of relievers.