SAL announces 2005 All-Star Team
The Annual All-Star Team was highlighted by the selections for Most Valuable Pitcher, Most Valuable Player and Most Outstanding Major League Prospect. Ray Liotta of the Kannapolis Intimidators was selected as the Most Outstanding Pitcher. Liotta currently ranks 1st in the South Atlantic League with a 2.26 ERA. Liotta posted an 8-3 record with 107 strikeouts in 115.1 innings pitched before being called up to the Winston-Salem Warthogs in late July.
Matt Miller of the Asheville Tourists was selected as the Most Valuable Player. Miller currently ranks in the top five in eight South Atlantic League Offensive Categories. Miller ranks 1st in Hits (163), tied for 1st in Doubles (33), 2nd in Home Runs (29), 2nd in Extra-Base Hits (62), 4th in Batting (.329), 4th in RBI (96), 4th in Slugging Percentage (.572) and 5th in Runs Scored (77).
Hunter Pence of the Lexington Legends was chosen as the Most Outstanding Major League Prospect. Pence currently ranks in the top four in four different South Atlantic League Offensive Categories before being promoted to the Salem Avalanche on July 26th. Pence ranks 1st in Batting (.338), 1st in Slugging Percentage (.652), 2nd in On-Base Percentage (.413) and 4th in Home Runs (25).
The Lexington Legends and the Kannapolis Intimidators placed the most members on the Annual All-Star Team with a total of three each. The Lexington Legends' representatives are Field Manager Tim Bogar, Right-handed Pitcher Jimmy Barthmaier and Outfielder Hunter Pence. The Kannapolis Intimidators placed Coach JR Perdew, Left-handed Pitcher Ray Liotta and Utility Outfielder David Cook. Three South Atlantic League clubs (Asheville Tourists, Augusta GreenJackets and Greenville Bombers) placed two members each on the team. The Columbus Catfish, Greensboro Grasshoppers and Hickory Crawdads placed one member each.
2005 South Atlantic League All-Star Team
Manager - Tim Bogar, Lexington Legends
Coach - JR Perdew, Kannapolis Intimidators
Pitcher - RH - Jimmy Barthmaier, Lexington Legends
Pitcher - LH - Ray Liotta, Kannapolis Intimidators
Catcher - Neil Walker, Hickory Crawdads
First Base - Joe Koshansky, Asheville Tourists
Second Base - Travis Denker, Columbus Catfish
Shortstop - Marcus Sanders, Augusta GreenJackets
Third Base - Andrew Pinckney, Greenville Bombers
Utility Infield - Brad McCann, Greensboro Grasshoppers
Outfield - Matt Miller, Asheville Tourists
Outfield - Hunter Pence, Lexington Legends
Outfield - Brian Horwitz, Augusta GreenJackets
Utility Outfield - David Cook, Kannapolis Intimidators
Designated Hitter - John Otness, Greenville Bombers
Most Outstanding Pitcher - Ray Liotta, Kannapolis Intimidators
Most Valuable Player - Matt Miller, Asheville Tourists
Most Outstanding Major League Prospect - Hunter Pence, Lexington Legends