Schwinden rewarded with All-Star nod

When Chris Schwinden heard he made the International League All-Star Team, he said, he couldn't believe it.

"Then I thought of all the fans that voted for me back home," Schwinden said. "It was really an honor."

Schwinden's IL All-Stars play the best of the Pacific Coast League July 13th in the 24th Triple-A All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, Utah. Buffalo hosts the 25th annual game next year.

The Visalia, Calif. native said he's never made the trip inland to Utah.

"It's right by California and I haven't been, but I've been to Idaho and Nevada," Schwinden said. "It's going to be somewhere where I can say I've actually been."

The righty leads all Buffalo starters in wins (five), ERA (2.87), strikeouts (75), innings pitched (87.2), quality starts (six) and retired a team-best 17 consecutive batters June 26 against Norfolk, but wouldn't call himself a leader of the rotation.

"I just try to do the best I can," said Schwinden, 24. "I don't think I'm a leader yet. I obviously don't know a lot about the pitching, but I'm starting to get the hang of it. I'm learning from other pitchers and (pitching coach Ricky Bones), so I wouldn't say I'm a leader yet."

After the announcement of his selection April 30, Schwinden tossed seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits with eight strikeouts and no walks. He making the team gave him added confidence.

"You try not to think about it when you're out there," Schwinden said. "You try not to fill your head with other things than going after the hitters in the game that you're in right now, but it's going to be fun."

Schwinden, who made the 2008 New York-Penn League team as a Brooklyn Cyclone, said he's excited to play with the other great players at the Triple-A level.

"I'm going to actually meet those guys face to face and be on a team with them and just have fun," said Schwinden, who started the season in Double-A Binghamton. "We're just going to go out there and do our thing."

Schwinden thought he might make his Mets debut in late May, when Buffalo skipped his turn in the rotation, but ended up not getting the call.

"I thought I was going to get my shot but didn't," Schwinden said. "That 10-day layoff hurt a little bit. The good thing I took from it is you're being thought about in this organization, which is a good thing."

Though he doesn't know when he'll make his major league debut, Schwinden will be ready when called upon.

"I have no idea, so when that time comes, it's going to be a good feeling and I can't wait for it."