Triple-A All-Star Game Flashback: 2001 Adam Dunn
On Wednesday, July 13th, the 2016 Sonic Automotive Triple-A All-Star Game presented by Gildan will make its way to BB&T Ballpark, home of the Charlotte Knights. This annual event will provide fans a rare opportunity to see many Major League Baseball stars of tomorrow right in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, NC.
With this year's game fast approaching, Charlotte Knights Media Relations Associate Tom Liguori has created a feature profiling familiar faces that have competed in past Triple-A All-Star Games. Be sure to check back to see which of your favorite big league players will be featured next.
Adam Dunn - 2001
Nearly 18 years ago Adam Dunn, comically nicknamed "Big Donkey", was drafted in the second round by the Cincinnati Reds organization. Considered a talented two-sport athlete with a rare size, speed, and power profile, Dunn, committed himself full-time to baseball in 1999 after serving as a backup quarterback at the University of Texas.
It did not take long for the powerful lefty to make a positive impression on the Reds organization. During his 2000 season with the Single-A Dayton Dragons, Dunn hit 16 home runs while leading the Midwest League with a .428 on-base percentage. Most impressively, the 6-foot-6, 235 pound Houston native, also managed to steal 24 bases throughout the course of the year.
In Dunn's noteworthy 2001 season, he ascended to become the second rated prospect in the Reds minor league organization by Baseball America. The left fielder managed to hit 32 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A in just 94 games during the campaign. This led to his selection representing the Louisville RiverBats in the Triple-A All-Star game along with former Charlotte Knight's third baseman Joe Crede. Dunn's power surge continued at the annual showcase as he took home the International League MVP honors after launching two home runs and three RBIs. His two home runs hit during the contest tied a Triple-A All-Star record that stands to date.
Just nine days after the powerful all-star performance, the 21 year old Dunn wrapped up his minor league career for good. In the month of August in his inaugural season with the Reds, Dunn set the National League rookie record for home runs in a month with an astounding 12. The following season Dunn continued to devastate pitchers on his way to his first of two MLB All-Star game appearances.
Despite never earning the right to play in a postseason game, Dunn remained a durable, middle of the order bat for the vast majority of his career. During a five year span from 2004-2008 he eclipsed the 40 home run milestone, a feat he would accomplish again in 2012 with the Chicago White Sox. His 462 home runs hit throughout his lengthy 14 year career solidified his status as one of the most feared power hitters of the early 21st century.