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SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

8 Intimidators Selected to South Atlantic League All-Star Game

June 5, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, NC - After their dominant start to the 2018 season, compiling a 34-19 record and a .275 team batting average that leads the South Atlantic League, the Intimidators are excited to announce that seven players and manager Justin Jirschele have been named to the 2018 All-Star game that will be played at First National Bank Field in Greensboro, NC, on June 19 at 7:05 p.m.

The 18th best prospect in the Chicago White Sox organization highlights the seven-man crew headed to Greensboro, as OF Luis Gonzalez has batted .330 with 14 doubles, while leading the team in home runs (8), total bases (104), slugging percentage (.553), OPS (.941) and stolen bases (7). By also having a highly-reliable glove in center field, the former New Mexico Lobo is a pitcher's best friend in the outfield, tracking down almost anything hit his way. Something else worth nothing, the top prospect on the team is also currently riding a 16-game hit-streak.

Also joining Gonzalez in the outfield at the All-Star game on June 19 will be left fielder, Craig Dedelow. Dedelow, the former Indiana Hoosier, leads the team in doubles (18), triples (4), RBI (32) and outfield assists (8). Dedelow also leads the Intimidators with 204 at-bats, consistently hitting either third or fourth in the intimidating Kannapolis lineup.

The Kannapolis middle infielders will also both me making the trip to Greensboro, as second baseman Tate Blackman and shortstop Laz Rivera both earned a spot on the Northern division of the All-Star team. Rivera, who played his college ball at Miami and University of Tampa, is one of the most all-around shortstops in the South Atlantic League. Drafted in the 28th round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft, Rivera leads the team with a .354 avg, which is 24 points higher than anyone else in the SAL. Rivera also leads the Intimidators with 38 runs scored and 62 hits, to go along with six stolen bases.

Blackman, the former Ole Miss Rebel infielder, is currently batting just one-point shy of the magical .300, connecting on six homers, bringing in 30 RBI and drawing 23 walks.

Right-handed pitcher Blake Battenfield highlights the pitching staff heading to the All-Star game, as the righty out of Oklahoma State was just named the White Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Month for May. In the month of May, he compiled a 4-0 record in five starts with just a 1.16 ERA, striking out 35 batters. On the season, Battenfield has fanned a team-high 62 batters, with his 1.59 ERA being good enough for fourth in the SAL. Battenfield is also second in the SAL with a 0.86 WHIP, holding opponents to a SAL-low, .180 avg.

Relievers Tyler Johnson and Jake Elliot round out the list of Kannapolis players selected to the All-Star game, with Johnson leading the team in appearances (17) and saves (6), while piecing together a 1.64 ERA. The former USC Gamecock closer also carries a 37-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Elliot, former pitcher for the Oklahoma Sooners, currently holds the third lowest ERA on the team with a .184 ERA in 15 games, racking up two saves and a 39-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Second year manager Justin Jirschele, looking for his second straight first half title with Kannapolis, will also join is seven all-stars at First National Bank Field. Jirschele was named the Chicago White Sox Minor League Coach of the Year last season after becoming the youngest (27 years old at the time) minor league baseball coach in baseball history.

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