Wacha, Cole take leads in fan voting
Cardinals prospect Michael Wacha and Pirates shortstop Josh Harrison are among the handful of new names dotting the leaderboard as fan voting for the Triple-A All-Star Game enters its final week.
Wacha, recentlly optioned back to Triple-A Memphis from St. Louis, overtook Mets prospect Zack Wheeler as one of two starting pitchers on the Pacific Coast League's ballot. The St. Louis right-hander, the Cards' No. 4 prospect, was the only change at the top from last week in fan voting for the PCL.
Harrison, batting .301 in 51 games for Indianapolis, overtook Durham's Tim Beckham at shortstop, while Gerrit Cole has the edge over Tony Cingrani as one of two starters for the IL ballot.
The fan vote counts for one-third of the overall balloting process as field managers and the media will also have a chance to make their picks this month. Fans can continue voting for the rosters until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 26. All fans who vote on MiLB.com will receive a free preview pass for MiLB.TV. Those who vote can select starters at every position on the field, along with a designated hitter, two starting pitchers and a pair of relievers.
So, what players need a late push to win fan voting in the final week? On the IL ballot, Pawtucket's Ryan Lavarnway and Indy's Tony Sanchez are nearly tied for second place behind Charlotte's Josh Phegley, while Durham's Vince Belnome has considerable ground to make up at DH behind Buffalo's Luis Jimenez.
Toledo's Jordan Lennerton ranks second at first base, Indianapolis' Ivan De Jesus trails Buffalo's Jim Negrych at second, and Beckham is well within reach of Harrison at short. Bisons third baseman Andy LaRoche appears to have a safe lead over Lehigh Valley's Cody Asche and Indianapolis' Jared Goedert.
Reds top prospect Billy Hamilton will need a late push to climb back into the IL's three outfield spots, as will Gwinnett's Joey Terdoslavich and Durham's Jason Bourgeois. Toledo's Bruce Rondon has the best chance to get back into contention as a reliever and Cingrani owns a healthy lead over the recently-released (and then signed by Toronto) Chien-Ming Wang among IL starters.
IL All-Star voting as of June 20
Position | Name | Team | MLB org. |
---|---|---|---|
C | Josh Phegley | Charlotte Knights | White Sox |
1B | Chris Colabello | Rochester Red Wings | Twins |
2B | Jim Negrych | Buffalo Bisons | Blue Jays |
3B | Andy LaRoche | Buffalo Bisons | Blue Jays |
SS | Josh Harrison | Indianapolis Indians | Pirates |
OF | Wil Myers | Durham Bulls | Rays |
OF | Nick Castellanos | Toledo Mud Hens | Tigers |
OF | Bryce Brentz | Pawtucket Red Sox | Red Sox |
DH | Luis Jimenez | Buffalo Bisons | Blue Jays |
SP | Gerrit Cole | Indianapolis Indians | Pirates |
SP | Jose Alvarez | Toledo Mud Hens | Tigers |
RP | Preston Guilmet | Columbus Clippers | Indians |
RP | Neil Wagner | Buffalo Bisons | Blue Jays |
In the PCL, Albuquerque's Tim Federowicz leads Colorado Springs' Matt McBride and Tacoma's Mike Zunino behind the plate.
Veteran Brad Hawpe, currently in the Majors, is well ahead of Sacramento's Jemile Weeks at designated hitter while Tucson's Dean Anna holds a slim edge over Memphis' Kolten Wong at second.
One current leader who won't be in Reno on July 17 is former Aces first baseman Kila Ka'aihue, who signed with a Japanese team about three weeks ago but has maintained his lead since last week at first base on the PCL ballot. Albuquerque's Scott Van Slyke ranks second and Omaha's Xavier Nady is third at first base voting.
Reno shortstop Chris Owings is ahead of Jurickson Profar, who has not played at Round Rock since May 18, and Colorado Springs' Nolan Arenado (currently with the Rockies) leads Reno's Matt Davidson by fewer than 60 votes at third. Among PCL relievers, Neal Cotts of Round Rock and Chris Hatcher of New Orleans need a lot of help to climb back into contention in the bullpen.
PCL All-Star voting as of June 20
Position | Name | Team | MLB org. |
---|---|---|---|
C | Tim Federowicz | Albuquerque Isotopes | Dodgers |
1B | Kila Ka'aihue | Hiroshima Carp (Japan) | |
2B | Dean Anna | Tucson Padres | Padres |
3B | Nolan Arenado | Colorado Springs Sky Sox | Rockies |
SS | Chris Owings | Reno Aces | D-backs |
OF | Michael Choice | Sacramento River Cats | Athletics |
OF | Brian Bogusevic | Iowa Cubs | Cubs |
OF | Corey Dickerson | Colorado Springs Sky Sox | Rockies |
DH | Brad Hawpe | Salt Lake Bees | Angels |
SP | Sonny Gray | Sacramento River Cats | Athletics |
SP | Michael Wacha | Memphis Redbirds | Cardinals |
RP | Dan Otero | Sacramento River Cats | Athletics |
RP | Cory Burns | Round Rock Express | Rangers |
Danny Wild is an editor for MLB.com.