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Gallo to bring power to All-Star Game

Rangers prospect, Carolina League to face Cal League on June 17
June 4, 2014

Carolina League pitchers have faced enough of Joey Gallo this season. They'll be happy to see their California League counterparts give it a shot in two weeks.

The Rangers' No. 4 prospect will lead the Carolina League All-Stars on June 17 in the 2014 California/Carolina League All-Star Game at Wilmington's Frawley Stadium.

Gallo has been without a doubt the best slugger the Minors has seen through the first half of this season. His 21 homers in 55 games are tops among all levels as are his .753 slugging percentage and 1.219 OPS. He ranks second in the Carolina League with a .320 average and leads the circuit with 50 walks and a .466 on-base percentage. MLB.com has ranked Gallo as the No. 78 overall prospect in the game and No. 8 among third basemen.

The left-handed slugger will be joined by seven Myrtle Beach teammates on the Carolina League roster -- the Pelicans posted a league-best 38-18 record as of Wednesday. Right-hander Alex Gonzalez (5-2, 2.49 ERA) and Andrew Faulkner (4-0, 2.28 ERA) and left-handed reliever Alex Claudio (1.19 ERA, 13 appearances) will represent the pitching staff. Catcher and Rangers top prospect Jorge Alfaro (.272 average, five homers, 30 RBIs), outfielders Nick Williams (.305 average, five homers, 16 doubles) and Royce Bolinger (.308 average) and first baseman Preston Beck (.257 average, .359 OBP) will also be in Wilmington.

With his 10 homers this season, White Sox No. 5 prospect Courtney Hawkins should provide plenty of additional pop to the Carolina League offense. Royals No. 11 prospect Christian Binford, who leads the league with 67 strikeouts, will represent the hometown team.

Here is the rest of the Carolina League All-Star team:

2014 CAROLINA LEAGUE ALL-STARS
CATCHERS      
NAME POS TEAM MLB ORG
Jorge Alfaro C Myrtle Beach TEX
Cam Gallagher C Wilmington KC
INFIELDERS      
NAME POS TEAM MLB ORG
Tim Anderson INF Winston-Salem CWS
Preston Beck INF Myrtle Beach TEX
Joey Gallo* INF Myrtle Beach TEX
Erik Gonzalez INF Carolina CIN
Reed Gragnani INF Salem BOS
Jose Peraza INF Lynchburg ATL
Stephen Perez INF Potomac WAS
Shawn Pleffner INF Potomac WAS
OUTFIELDERS      
NAME POS TEAM MLB ORG
Royce Bolinger* OF Myrtle Beach TEX
Glynn Davis OF Frederick BAL
Anthony Gallas* OF Carolina CIN
Chris Garia OF Myrtle Beach TEX
Courtney Hawkins OF Winston-Salem CWS
Kevin Heller OF Salem BOS
Jonathan Roof* OF Salem BOS
Nick Williams* OF Myrtle Beach TEX
Kyle Wren OF Lynchburg ATL
PITCHERS      
NAME POS TEAM MLB ORG
Christian Binford RHP Wilmington KC
Alex Claudio LHP Myrtle Beach TEX
Jonathan Dziedzic LHP Wilmington KC
Andrew Faulkner LHP Myrtle Beach TEX
Alex Gonzalez* RHP Myrtle Beach TEX
Justin Haley RHP Salem BOS
Ryan Merritt LHP Carolina CIN
Mark Peterson RHP Wilmington KC
Greg Ross RHP Lynchburg ATL
Derek Self RHP Potomac WAS
Matt Taylor* LHP Frederick BAL
FIELD STAFF      
NAME POS TEAM MLB ORG
Darryl Kennedy Manager Wilmington KC
Steve Luebber Pitching Coach Wilmington KC
James Stone Trainer Wilmington KC
* Inactive due to promotion or injury

Sam Dykstra is a contributor to MiLB.com.