Tucson dominates PCL All-Star vote

If Tucson's first-year manager Bill Plummer was hoping to rest some of his players during the Triple-A All-Star break, he may want to take the next couple of weeks to reconsider other options.

After two weeks of online fan balloting, the Sidewinders have eight players in good position to make the trip to Albuquerque's Isotopes Park for the 2007 Triple-A All-Star Game on July 11.

Balloting for the 2007 Triple-A All-Star Game continues through June 22. Fans have a chance to vote for starters at each infield position as well as three outfielders, two starting pitchers, a catcher and two relievers. The fan voting will account for one-third of the overall total, with the media (one-third) and the club field managers and general managers (one-third) accounting for the rest.

Third baseman Jamie D'Antona, who is hitting .317 with 20 doubles, five home runs and 39 RBIs this season, leads the pack of Sidewinders. He is second in total votes to only Memphis outfielder Rick Ankiel (.276, 15 HR, 48 RBIs), who remains the leading vote-getter for a second week.

D'Antona has a chance to be joined in the infield by teammates Danny Richar (.285, 8 HR, 41 RBIs) at second base and Augie Ojeda (.323, 8 2B, 17 RBIs) at shortstop.

And with Iowa's Felix Pie playing for the Chicago Cubs, Ankiel could be joined in the outfield by another pair of Sidewinders, Jeff Salazar (.314, 6 HR, 37 RBIs) and Alex Romero (.344, 20 2B, 37 RBIs).

Three of the four pitching positions are currently being filled by Sidewinders.

Right-hander Yusmeiro Petit (7-3, 4.23 ERA, 29 BB, 40 K) has a chance to start on the mound, with teammates Chad Harville (4-0, 2.57 ERA, 12 BB, 22 K) and Adam Bass (3-1, 2.16 ERA, 16 BB, 35 K) in good position to secure both relief spots. Harville leads the PCL with 17 saves in 18 opportunities this season.

Salt Lake's Jonathon Rouwenhorst (5-2, 4.41 ERA, 15 BB, 37 K) received the most votes for the starting-pitching role. Nashville's Yovani Gallardo (8-3, 2.90 ERA, 28 BB, 110 K), who leads the PCL in wins and strikeouts, and Salt Lake's Kasey Olenberger (6-2, 3.86 ERA, 18 BB, 54 K) is also in the mix.

Albuquerque fans can be satisfied that a few of the home team's players are still in contention for starting roles.

John Baker (.276, 4 HR, 20 RBIs) and Val Pascucci (.282, 19 HR, 53 RBIs), who is tied for the PCL lead in home runs, are set to fill the starting catcher and first base positions, respectively, with Scott Seabol (.297, 14 HR, 45 RBIs) eyeing the third-base spot.

Fresno's Lance Niekro (.306, 2 HR, 11 RBIs) is still the early favorite for the starting designated-hitter role, but the Minor League's home-run king, Omaha's Craig Brazell (.327, 22 HR, 44 RBIs), is nipping at his heels.

Be sure to check back with MiLB.com for updated vote totals, as well as news and features related to the game.