Keys unlock six Carolina All-Star spots
Ironically, the last-place Frederick Keys will be sending the most players with six -- three position players and three pitchers. The Northern Division-leading Lynchburg Hillcats will send only two players to the game and the Southern Division-leading Winston-Salem Dash will send three. Left-handed pitcher Derrick Loop was the lone Salem Red Sox selection, but every other team has at least two on the roster.
Kinston third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall (.301-10-43) leads the league in RBIs and hits (62). Twelve of Chisenhall's RBIs came in just three at-bats -- he's knocked three grand slams this season. Myrtle Beach designated hitter Cody Johnson (.264-18-40) leads the league in home runs, slugging percentage (.620) and extra-base hits (30). And Frederick shortstop Pedro Florimon Jr.'s 17 doubles and 38 runs scored also top the circuit.
The Carolina League's three starting outfielders -- Myrtle Beach's Jason Heyward (.295-9-22), Wilmington's David Lough (.318-1-23) and Winston-Salem's Christian Marrero, (.311-6-27) -- add nearly flawless defensive performances to their mighty bats. The trio has combined just four errors this season.
Lynchburg's Kris Watts (.304-3-22) will serve as an anchor for the team both at and behind the plate, bringing his consistent bat (he leads the league with a .429 on-base percentage) and strong catching skills (he's committed just one error in 42 games behind the plate).
The Carolina League's hurlers have an impressive combined record of 39-20. Only one pitcher has an ERA above 3.00; Winston-Salem's Charles Shirek has a 3.88 mark, but leads the league with eight wins.
The team will be led by Myrtle Beach skipper Rocket Wheeler and Lynchburg coach Wally Whitehurst. Potomac's Jeff Allred will be the trainer for the contest.
The All-Stars will match up against their California League counterparts on June 23 at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore, Calif.
Kira Jones is an associate reporter for MLB.com.