Matt Antonelli added to All-Star Team
The 26-year-old Antonelli is one of 30 players selected to represent the International League against the Pacific Coast League All-Star team on July 13 at Spring Mobile Ballpark at Salt Lake City. Antonelli will join Chiefs starting pitcher Tommy Milone, who was announced as a member of the team last week, as representatives for Syracuse.
"I'm very excited for Matt," Chiefs manager Randy Knorr said. "He's had a great first half and certainly deserves the chance to go to the All-Star Game."
In his first season with the Nationals organization, Antonelli has hit .311 (51-for-164) in 44 games with the Chiefs. Antonelli has collected 20 runs, nine doubles, three triples, two home runs and driven in eleven runs. He has played games at second base, third base, shortstop, and left field for Syracuse this season. The former first-round pick of the San Diego Padres also hit .333 (5-for-15) in four games with Double-A Harrisburg this season.
The 2011 season is Antonelli's sixth in professional baseball. He has batted .262 (405-for-1544) with 34 home runs and 172 RBI in 423 career Minor League games and .193 (11-57) with one home run and three RBI in 21 career Major League games.
Antonelli will participate in the 24th annual Triple-A All-Star Game on July 13th in Salt Lake City. The game will be televised at 9 P.M. on MLB Network. The International League currently holds a 7-6 lead over the Pacific Coast League in All-Star Games between the two Triple-A leagues.
Wednesday's game will be Antonelli's second Minor League All-Star appearance, after being named to the 2007 California League All-Star Team.
Following the three-day All-Star break, the Chiefs will play a pair of games at Lehigh Valley before returning home to Alliance Bank Stadium on Saturday, July 16 for a 7:00pm game against the IronPigs. Tickets for all Syracuse Chiefs homes games can be purchased in person at the Chiefs ticket office at Alliance Bank Stadium by calling 315-474-7833, or online at SyracuseChiefs.com.