Four LumberKings Named to All-Star Game
Clinton, IA - Four members of the Clinton LumberKings will suit up for the West Division All-Stars on Tuesday, June 22 at Parkview Field in Fort Wayne, IN. Vinnie Catricala (starting designated hitter), Nick Franklin (reserve shortstop), Brian Moran (left-handed pitcher) and Erasmo Ramirez (right-handed pitcher) have all been included on the West roster, released by the Midwest League today.
Catricala , 21, will be Clinton's only starter in the game. Seattle's 10th round pick out of the University of Hawaii and the Offensive MVP of short-season Pulaski a year ago, Catricala is hitting .286 with 17 doubles, four home runs, 34 runs scored and 28 RBI over 56 games this season. The Sacramento, CA native is currently tied for third in the league in doubles.
Franklin has been named a reserve, edged out for the starting shortstop spot by Peoria's Hak-Ju Lee. Seattle's first-round pick (27th overall) in 2009, Franklin is amidst league leaders in total bases (2nd with 128), extra-base hits (2nd with 28), home runs (T-2nd with 12), slugging percentage (3rd at .577), total hits (4th with 70), OPS (5th at .936) and batting average (9th at .315). The 19-year-old leads the LumberKings with 20 multi-hit games, including six three-hit games this season.
Moran, 21, is 2-1 with a 1.86 ERA over 16 relief appearances this season and has converted on two of three save chances. Seattle's seventh-round pick in 2009 out of the University of North Carolina, Moran has walked just three batters while striking out 36 over 29.0 innings and leads all Midwest League relievers in lowest walks per nine innings (0.93).
Ramirez, 20, is 4-2 with a 2.19 ERA over 10 appearances, seven starts in his first season in the United States. Seattle's Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2009 while with Aguirre of the Venezuelan Summer League, Ramirez currently ranks eighth in the league in ERA. He's also walked just three batters while striking out 36 over 53.1 innings.
This year marks the fourth-straight season in which the LumberKings have sent four-or-more players to the All-Star Game. The 2007 club sent eight players, while the 2008 and 2008 teams were represented by nine All-Stars each. Clinton's last player to win the "Star of Stars" award was outfielder Tim Smith, who helped the West to a 5-4 win in 10 innings with a solo home run on June 17, 2008 at Dow Diamond in Midland, MI.
For more information on the Clinton LumberKings, call 563-242-0727 or visit www.lumberkings.com. For more information on the 2010 Midwest League All-Star Game and festivities, visit www.midwestleague.com or www.tincaps.com.
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