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SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Almora Jr. & Vogelbach Selected to Play in Pan American Games

June 30, 2015 - Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


KODAK - Tennessee Smokies first baseman Dan Vogelbach and outfielder Albert Almora Jr. are among those who were selected to represent the United States in the 2015 Pan American Games, which will take place between July 10 to 19 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In addition, 2009 Smokies hurler Casey Coleman has also been tabbed to play for Team USA in the tournament.

Almora Jr. has previously play for a Team USA club on six prior occasions, spending time on the 14U, 16U and 18U rosters, and helped lead the 18U squad to a Gold Medal in the 2011 Pan Am Games while being named the Tournament's Most Valuable Player. The 21-year-old outfielder prior to this season was rated the seventh-best Cubs prospect by Baseball America coming into this season, in addition to being recognized as the "Best Defensive Outfielder" among all Cubs farmhands.

The Miami, Florida native has posted a .246 average (55-224) in 60 games with the Smokies this season, adding 37 runs scored, ten doubles, three triples, two homers and 22 RBI, while also recording four steals in as many attempts, and making a plethora of outstanding defensive plays while patrolling Tennessee's outfield. Almora Jr. was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the first round as the number six overall pick out of Mater Academy Charter High School in Florida during the 2012 MLB Draft.

This will mark the first time Vogelbach has been selected to represent his country on a Team USA roster, though it is the second honor the first baseman has received this month. The left-handed slugger was selected to start the 2015 Southern League All-Star Game in Montgomery, Alabama, starting at first base and blasting a three-run homer to help lead the North Division team to a 9-0 victory.

The Florida native this year owns a .285 average (57-200), along with 27 runs, 13 doubles, one triple, five homers and 34 RBI in 59 contests with Tennessee this season, while also recording 43 walks and a .408 on-base percentage. Coming into Tuesday's play, the 22-year-old ranks second in the Southern League in bases on balls, in addition to fourth in on-base percentage. Originally selected by the Cubs in the second round of the 2011 MLB Draft, Vogelbach was named the Cubs' Minor League Player of the Month for the month of April, and was also rated the 25th-best prospect in Chicago's system before this year by Baseball America.

In addition to Almora Jr. and Vogelbach, former Smokies pitcher Casey Coleman has also been named to Team USA's roster. The 27-year-old pitched the entire 2009 campaign with Tennessee, tallying a 14-6 record and 3.68 ERA (61 ER in 149.0 IP) in 27 starts, and finished the season tied for first in the circuit in victories and seventh in earned-run average.

The right-hander would go on to make his Major League debut the very next season for the Chicago Cubs, becoming the 18th Smokies alum that went on to begin his Big League career with the Cubs since Tennessee and Chicago began their affiliation in 2007. Originally selected by the Cubs in the 15th round of the 2008 MLB Draft, Coleman now plays in the Kansas City Royals organization, and has posted an 8-13 record and 5.72 ERA (113 ER in 177.2 IP) in 58 career Major League appearances, including 26 starts.

The Team USA squad will be managed by former Major League manager Jim Tracy, who has accumulated over 850 victories over his 11 year Big League managerial career. All 24 players on Team USA's roster are not currently on Major League Baseball 40-man rosters, with the Royals leading the way with four players from their system, while the Cubs' two farmhands ranked second with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers.

Following their off day Tuesday, the Smokies will start a three-game homestand Wednesday night with the Montgomery Biscuits, the Double-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. As part of their Red, White and Boom homestand, a spectacular post-game fireworks shows will follow all three contests leading up to Independence Day Fireworks on Friday, July 3. Each of those three contests are slated for 7:05 p.m. start times.

Tickets for all remaining home contests at Smokies Stadium, are on sale and can be purchased online at smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300.

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