Power-packed All-Star Home Run Derby set

Print

Power-packed All-Star Home Run Derby set
06/18/2008 2:00 PM ET
Myrtle Beach Pelicans

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- The competitors for the 2008 California-Carolina League All-Star Home Run Derby presented by Carolina Cooling have been set, with four sluggers representing the Carolina League against four of the top power-hitters from the California League. The showcase is scheduled at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, June 24th at BB&T Coastal Field. Gates will open at 3:30 PM to accommodate fans and the first pitch of the 2008 California-Carolina League All-Star Game presented by Hard Rock Park is set for 7:30 PM.
The top-four home run hitters in the Carolina League will participate in the Home Run Derby. Headlining the lineup is Frederick's Matt Wieters. Baseball America rates Wieters as the top-prospect in the Baltimore Orioles' organization. The fifth overall selection in the 2007 Draft, the switch-hitting catcher has walloped a Carolina League-best 14 home runs thus far this season. Right on his heels is Myrtle Beach Pelicans' shortstop Brandon Hicks. Hicks is currently second in the league with 13 roundtrippers. Myrtle Beach will also be represented by slugging first baseman Ernesto Mejia. Mejia is currently tied for third in the league with 12 home runs. The linebacker-sized Brandon Allen of the Winston-Salem Warthogs will also compete. Allen is currently tied for third in the Carolina League in longballs with 12.
The California League will also send a power-packed contingent to the Grand Strand. Leading the group from the California League is Stockton's Sean Doolittle. The Ports first baseman is currently tied for second in the California League with 16 home runs. He will be joined by Lancaster's Jon Still, Lake Elsinore's Sam Carter and Pablo Sandoval of the San Jose Giants. Still, who will serve as the designated hitter for the California League in the All-Star Game has clubbed 13 homers thus far this year. Sandoval has hit 11 home runs for the Giants, while Carter has notched 10 for the Storm.
"We couldn't have asked for a better lineup of competitors for the Home Run Derby," said Pelicans General Manager North Johnson. "What's great about the Minor Leagues is that all the top guys not only are willing to participate in events like this, they actually really look forward to it."
2008 California vs. Carolina League All-Star Home Run Derby presented by Carolina Cooling
Carolina League:
C - Matt Wieters - Frederick Keys (14 HR)
SS - Brandon Hicks - Myrtle Beach Pelicans (13 HR)
1B - Brandon Allen - Winston-Salem Warthogs (12 HR)
DH - Ernesto Mejia - Myrtle Beach Pelicans (11 HR)
California League:
1B - Sean Doolittle - Stockton Ports (16 HR)
DH - Jon Still - Lancaster JetHawks (13 HR)
C - Pablo Sandoval - San Jose Giants (11 HR)
OF - Sam Carter - Lake Elsinore Storm (10 HR)
Tickets for the 2008 California-Carolina League All-Star Game presented by Hard Rock Park including admission to the Home Run Derby presented by Carolina Cooling are currently available and can be purchased by calling the Pelicans at (843) 918-6080 or toll-free (877) 918-TIXX, visiting the Pelicans Box Office at BB&T Coastal Field or logging on to MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.