DeFrancesco tabbed World coach
The game, which features many of Minor League Baseball's top prospects, is set up in a United States vs. World format and will be broadcast live on ESPN2 (1:00 p.m. PDT). Each roster consists of 25 prospects selected by Major League Baseball, in conjunction with all 30 Major League clubs, MLB.com and Baseball America. DeFrancesco will serve as one of six coaches for the World Team.
Each Major League organization is represented and the World Team features players from 11 different countries and territories. Players from all full-season Minor League teams were eligible to participate.
2007 marks DeFrancesco's 5th season at the helm of the River Cats, having guided the club to back-to-back Pacific Coast League championships in each of his first two years in Sacramento (2003 and 2004). In '03, his first year with the Cats, DeFrancesco was named PCL Manager of the Year and The Sporting News Minor League Manager of the Year. Under his watch, the River Cats have made the playoffs in the 3 of the past 4 seasons.
Sacramento is currently 43-34 and in first place in the Pacific Coast League Pacific Conference Southern Division.
The Oakland Athletics organization will be represented in the game by DeFrancesco (World Team), Manager Todd Steverson from Double-A Midland (US Team) and RHP Michael Madsen from Double-A Midland (US Team).