Neshek, Upton pace IL All-Star fan balloting

There is no doubt that Pat Neshek deserves to be an All-Star.

Neshek, the Rochester Red Wings' flame-throwing closer, is 4-1 with 12 saves and a 1.96 ERA. Even more impressively, he has struck out 76 batters over just 46 innings of work. It's no surprise, therefore, that the 25-year-old right-hander leads all International League relievers in the fan balloting for the 2006 Triple-A All-Star Game.

What is a surprise, however, is that Neshek has received more votes than any other Triple-A player. Indianapolis' Scott Strickland, the runner-up among International League relievers, has received far less than half the votes that Neshek has. Theories abound: perhaps eagle-eyed voters have simply been blown away by Neshek's phenomenal strikeout totals, or perhaps a secret coalition of hardcore Red Wing fans has organized a clandestine voting campaign on his behalf. No matter what the reason, Neshek's staggering vote total ranks as the biggest surprise in the International League fan balloting thus far.

The 2006 Triple-A All Star Game will take place on July 12 at Toledo's Fifth Third Field. Fans can 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 and will be added to the selections of the media (one-third) and club field managers and general managers (one-third).

Neshek is one of three Rochester players whom the fans are bidding to send to Toledo. Catcher Shawn Wooten has rocketed from last week's fourth-place standing and currently holds a microscopic lead over Durham's Shawn Riggans, while outfielder Josh Rabe ranks third in the voting among all outfielders.

Joining Rabe among the outfield leaders are Norfolk's Lastings Milledge and Toledo's Ryan Ludwick. Milledge, of course, is currently a member of the New York Mets, and is unlikely to be back in Triple-A anytime soon. Durham's Elijah Dukes and Rochester's Jason Tyner rank fourth and fifth in the outfield voting, and either one could benefit from Milledge's absence.

Durham Bulls' shortstop B.J. Upton has accumulated more votes than any other position player in the International League fan balloting. The 21-year-old phenom holds a sizable lead over the runner-up at his position, Rochester's Jason Bartlett.

Over at first base, Upton's teammate Kevin Witt has risen from last week's fourth-place standing and currently has a miniscule edge over Charlotte's Casey Rogowski and Ottawa's Andy Tracy. Witt certainly deserves the votes -- the 30-year-old slugger currently leads the league in home runs (17) and RBIs (46).

Across the diamond at third, Charlotte's Josh Fields maintains a healthy lead over Buffalo's Andy Marte, and with good reason. The sweet-swinging Fields is hitting .341 and slugging .607.

Fields is one of two Charlotte Knights to hold a lead in the International League fan balloting. Ernie Young -- who blasted his 300th Minor League home run on Monday -- remains the front-runner among designated hitters. Jason Hart, who began the year with the Rochester Red Wings, is the only DH even remotely close to Young in the balloting. Hart has been a member of the Pacific Coast League's Oklahoma RedHawks since June 2, however. Overzealous Red Wing fans should stop voting for him.

Second base has been the International League's most tumultuous position when it comes to the fan balloting. Last week's leader, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's Joe Thurston, has tumbled all the way to fourth place. Toledo Mud Hen Kevin Hooper has risen up to take the lead, while Norfolk's Jeff Keppinger and Rochester's Luis Maza rank second and third, respectively.

Then there are the starting pitchers. Buffalo's Jeremy Sowers remains on top, with former Indianapolis Indian Brandon Duckworth close behind. Duckworth is currently a member of the Kansas City Royals, so he may soon be supplanted in the voting by Tom Gorzelanny, his ex-teammate. Gorzelanny is currently tied with Neshek for the International League lead in strikeouts with 76.

Finally, a handful of International League players have received strong support as write-in candidates. Chief among them are Toledo infielder Jack Hannahan, Louisville starting pitcher Justin Germano and Durham's Delmon Young, who is currently serving a 50-game suspension.

Balloting for the 2006 Triple-A All-Star Game will continue through Friday, June 23. Be sure to check back with MiLB.com for updated vote totals as well as news and features related to the game.