Candelario earns All-Star nod

Pelicans third baseman to join three teammates, two coaches

By Mason Robinson

June 17, 2015

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (JUNE 17, 2015) - On Wednesday, the Carolina League announced that third baseman Jeimer Candelario will represent the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, in the 2015 California League vs. Carolina League All-Star Game, presented by WaBa Grill. Candelario will join Pelicans pitchers Duane Underwood Jr., Jonathan Martinez, and outfielder Mark Zagunis, along with pitching coach David Rosario and assistant coach Chris Gutierrez. The game will be held in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., at LoanMart Field, home of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Class A-Advanced, Los Angeles Dodgers), on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at 7:35 p.m. PT / 10:35 p.m. ET.

Candelario, 21, earns his first full season All-Star selection. The switch-hitter leads the Pelicans with 16 doubles, which also ranks third-most in the Carolina League, and his 21 RBI are fifth-most on the club. He also carries a .263 batting average along with four home runs in 52 games played. The All-Star selection comes two days after being activated from the disabled list on June 15. A member of the 2014 Midwest League Champion Kane County Cougars, Candelario was the MWL Offensive Player of the Week for July 7-13, and according to MLBPipeline.com, he is ranked twelfth among the Cubs' top 30 prospects. According to Baseball America, Candelario is ranked No. 24 of all Cubs minor league prospects.

The Carolina League All-Stars will be managed by Tripp Keister, manager of the defending Carolina League Mills Cup Champion Potomac Nationals. The Nationals' T.D. Swinford will serve as the athletic trainer.

Keep up with all 2015 All-Star Game news and updates at www.rcquakes.com/allstargame. For those unable to attend, listen to the game live on www.rcquakes.com, iHeartRadio.com or via the iHeartRadio app by searching the Fox Sports Radio 1350 KTDD station. Whether at the game or listening on the radio, teams, players and fans are encouraged to use the official social media hashtag #RCASG to follow the action and to post their own photos and comments.

Tickets for the 2015 Carolina-California League All-Star Game are still available and include entry into Fan Fest and the Home Run Derby starting at 3:30 p.m. PT before the first pitch at 7:35 p.m. PT / 10:35 p.m. ET. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.rcquakes.com/allstargame or call (909) 481-5000.

After finishing their road series with Winston-Salem on Wednesday night, the Pelicans wrap up the first half of the 2015 season with a four-game set against the Lynchburg Hillcats beginning Thursday. First pitch at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET.

Thursday is also Thirsty Thursday, presented by Celebrations Nitelife, 96.1 WKZQ, and WBTW News 13. Fans 21 years-old and older can enjoy $1.00 12 oz. Bud and Bud Light draughts, and $2.00 16 oz. cans from 6:00 ‒ 8:00 p.m. ET. It will also be a Redneck Night featuring a Redneck Wedding, presented by Wave 104.1.

The 2015 season marks the 17th season for the Pelicans franchise and first as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2015, please call (843) 918-6000, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.