Carolina All-Stars set to face California bats

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Carolina All-Stars set to face California bats
06/22/2009 2:19 PM ET
By Kira Jones / MLB.com

The High Desert Mavericks clinched a September playoff spot last week, and with four players on the California League roster, the California/Carolina League All-Star Game at the Diamond in Lake Elsinore will offer the Mavs' Cal League counterparts a great opportunity to size up the competition.
The hard-hitting Mavericks representing the California League include Joe Dunigan (.336, 17, 60), Juan Diaz (.323, 2, 22), Alex Liddi (.341, 16, 60) and Travis Scott (.324, 11, 36). Each rank in the league's top 10 in hitting. Dunigan paces the circuit in home runs, RBIs and slugging percentage (.664). Liddi is tied in RBIs with teammate Dunigan for the league lead and ranks among the league's best in a handful of other offensive categories.
Known for their offense, the California League's lineup contains a few other sluggers. Thomas Neal (.342, 13, 44), whose batting average tops the circuit, and Jonathan Gaston (.315, 17, 52), who leads the league in homers, extra-base hits (46), runs scored (60) and triples (9), are on the roster. Rounding out the lineup is Inland Empire's lightning-quick Trayvon Robinson (.301, 9, 32) who currently leads the league with 24 stolen bases.
While the California League may be known for its offensive power, the Carolina League's roster sports an enviable list of outstanding pitchers. Eric Berger (5-5, 2.11), Zach Britton (4-2, 1.94) and Daniel Duffy (6-2, 2.85) have some of the lowest ERAs in the league, and teammate Brad Meyers (4-2, 1.67) leads the pack.
The Carolina League lineup also includes its fair share of sluggers such as Myrtle Beach's Cody Johnson (.274, 20, 48), Kinston's Lonnie Chisenhall (.286, 13, 52) and Frederick's Brandon Waring (.275, 13, 46).
Southpaw Cory Luebke (8-2, 2.34) of the Lake Elsinore Storm will be starting in front of his home crowd for California's squad. Luebke has the lowest ERA in the league, and he's also pacing the league in wins and innings pitched (88 1/3). Three other members of the Storm's pitching staff will join Luebke on the All-Star squad -- Jeremy McBryde (6-3, 3.44), Wynn Pelzer (7-3, 5.09) and closer Bryan Oland (3-1, 1.34, 17 saves).
It's a bird! It's a plane!
It's the California-Carolina League All-Star Home Run Derby! At 6:00 p.m. PDT on Tuesday evening, prior to the 7:05 game, some of the best power hitters from both leagues will swing for the fences in a three-round bash fest.
The first round allows participants 10 outs, the second five and the final only three.
Waring, Johnson and Chisenhall will represent the Carolina League, and Dunigan, Liddi and Gaston will represent the California League. The contest will also feature participants from Southern California youth baseball programs.
The extras
Host Lake Elsinore has scheduled a full afternoon of events The activities include an autograph session with both teams, two chances to see Gale Webb's extreme sports and air show and, of course, the home run derby. After the game fans will be treated to the "Redonkulous Fireworks Extravaganza," which the Storm say is 10 times larger than a normal 4th of July show.

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE ALL-STAR TEAM CAROLINA LEAGUE ALL-STAR TEAM

Pitchers

Craig Baker - Modesto Eric Berger - Kinston

Alberto Bastardo - Inland Empire Zach Britton - Frederick

Josh Collmenter - Visalia Daniel Duffy - Wilmington

Cory Luebke - Lake Elsinore Derrick Loop - Salem

Pat McAnaney - Visalia Luis Lebron - Frederick

Jeremy McBryde - Lake Elsinore Jeff Mandel - Potomac

Bryan Oland - Lake Elsinore Brad Meyers - Potomac

Wynn Pelzer - Lake Elsinore Ryne Miller - Salem

Tim Sexton - Inland Empire R.J. Rodriguez - Lynchburg

Alex Torres - Rancho Cucamonga

Position Players

(C) Buster Posey - San Jose (C) Kris Watts - Lynchburg

(1B) Joe Dunigan - High Desert (1B) Brandon Waring - Frederick

(2B) Matt Lawson - Bakersfield (2B) Dale Mollenhauer - Winston-Salem

(SS) Juan Diaz - High Desert (SS) Pedro Florimon Jr. - Frederick

(3B) Alex Liddi - High Desert (3B) Lonnie Chisenhall - Kinston

(LF) Thomas Neal - San Jose (OF) Jason Heyward - Myrtle Beach

(CF) Trayvon Robinson - Inland Empire (OF) David Lough - Wilmington

(RF) Jonathan Gaston - Lancaster (OF) Christian Marrero - Winston-Salem

(DH/C) Travis Scott - High Desert (DH) Cody Johnson - Myrtle Beach

(C) Yusuf Carter - Stockton (C) Caleb Joseph - Frederick

(IF) Logan Forsythe - Lake Elsinore (IF) Cord Phelps - Kinston

(DH) Mauro Gomez - Bakersfield (IF) Mike Moustakas - Wilmington

(OF) Roger Kieschnick - San Jose (OF) Miles Durham - Lynchburg

Coaching Staff

Carlos Lezcano - Lake Elsinore Field Manager Rocket Wheeler - Myrtle Beach

Coach Wally Whitehurst - Lynchburg

Pitching Coach

Trainer Jeff Allred - Potomac

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.