SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Kannapolis Sending Four Players to SAL All-Star Game

Published on June 5, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (June 5, 2012) - The Kannapolis Intimidators, Class A Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, will send four players to the South Atlantic League's 2012 All-Star Game in Charleston, S.C., on June 19. Right fielder Mark Haddow and third baseman Rangel Ravelo - two of the league's top hitters - will represent the Intimidators along with catcher Kevan Smith and pitcher Blair Walters.

Haddow, 24, has the third-highest batting average in the SAL, batting . 338 (70-207) with four home runs and 30 RBI. The San Diego native currently has the third-most hits in the SAL and has hit safely in his last 17 games, tops in the league. Haddow also has six outfield assists this season. The White Sox selected him in the 24th round of the June 2011 draft out of UC-Santa Barbara, and Baseball America rated him the Best Power Hitting in the White Sox 2011 draft class. Haddow led Advanced Rookie Great Falls with a .312 average in his professional debut last summer, also leading the team with 12 home runs, 51 RBI, a .528 slugging percentage and 31 extra-base hits in 70 games.

Ravelo, 20, has the ninth-best average in the league, currently hitting .321 (63-196) with two home runs and 27 RBI. He hit safely in 15-straight games during the first month of the season. The White Sox selected Ravelo in the sixth round of the June 2010 draft. He split the 2011 season between Advanced Rookie Bristol and Kannapolis, hitting .338 in 63 games. Ravelo was named First-Team All-Dade County by the Miami Herald at Hialeah (Fla.) High School.

Smith, 23, has been solid for the Intimidators both at the plate and behind it. He is batting .284 (59-208) with three home runs, a team- leading 34 RBI and is tied for the fifth-most doubles (17) in the SAL in 53 games with Kannapolis. He has also thrown out 23 of 62 base- stealers this season (.371). Smith entered the 2012 season as the White Sox No. 28 Prospect according to Baseball America after being selected in the seventh round of the 2011 draft out of Pitt where he quarterbacked the Panthers as a redshirt freshman.

Walters, 23, has picked up wins in his last three decisions and is now 3-2 with a 2.58 ERA (17 ER/59.1 IP), the fifth-best ERA in the league. The Intimidators opening day starter began the 2012 season as the White Sox No. 26 Prospect according to Baseball America. Walters went 9-0 with a 4.03 ERA in 14 games (13 starts) with Advanced Rookie Great Falls to earn Pioneer League Pitcher of the Year honors in his professional debut in 2011. The White Sox selected Walters in the 11th round of the June 2011 First Year Player Draft out of the University of Hawaii where he worked exclusively out of the bullpen.

The Intimidators return home to CMC-NorthEast Stadium on Friday, June 8, for a six-game home stand against the Hagerstown Suns (Washington Nationals) and Greensboro Grasshoppers (Miami Marlins). Fans are invited to the ballpark for the team's next post-game fireworks show on Saturday, June 9, presented by CMC-NorthEast. For ticket information, call the box office at (704) 932-3267 or visit www.IntimidatorsBaseball.com .

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