Lakewood Places Four on All-Star Team
Published on June 3, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release
LAKEWOOD, N.J. - The Lakewood BlueClaws announce that four members of the 2008 BlueClaws have been selected to the South Atlantic League North Division All-Star Team. The game will take place on June 17 at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Outfielder Michael Taylor and designated hitter Mike Durant were both named as starters, while pitcher Drew Naylor and catcher Joel Naughton will appear as reserves.
This marks the second-most Lakewood players selected to an all-star team in BlueClaws history. Seven Lakewood players and two coaches were named to the 2007 North Division All Star Team.
Taylor, 22, has been the best hitter in the South Atlantic League this season. The BlueClaws leftfielder and cleanup hitter leads the league in hitting (.361), on-base percentage (.438) and slugging percentage (.579). Taylor has only improved as the season has progressed, hitting a league-high seven home runs in May. His 31 RBIs in May were second-most in the league. Selected in the fifth round of the 2007 Draft out of Stanford University, Taylor spent last season with Williamsport of the New York-Penn League, where he hit just .227 in 66 games.
Durant, 21, was selected by the Phillies in the 4th round of the 2005 draft out of the Berkeley High School in California. He has provided big power numbers in the heart of the BlueClaws lineup, slugging 10 home runs prior to heading to the disabled list on May 21 with a sprained ankle. Durant's home run total is fourth most in the league. He is hitting .252 with 24 RBIs in 40 games this season.
Naylor, 22, was signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent in March 2004 out of Brisbane, Australia. The right-hander has been dominant in 2008, fanning a league-best 78 hitters in 73 2/3 innings. Naylor has amassed a 4-2 record and 2.81 ERA and made the Opening Night start for Lakewood in his first year of full season baseball. A New York-Penn League All Star in 2007, Naylor went 8-6 with a 3.28 ERA with the Crosscutters.
Naughton, 21, joins his countryman Naylor on the Northern Division squad. The BlueClaws backstop was signed as an amateur free agent out of Bridgeman Downs, Austrailia in August 2003. Now playing his second full season with the BlueClaws, Naughton has been a defensive stalwart behind the plate. He has thrown out 23 of 50 potential base stealers (.460), the most caught stealing in the league. A left-handed hitter, Naughton is batting .289 with 19 RBIs.
The four BlueClaws All Stars have helped Lakewood make a late push at the Northern Division first half championship. Just two games out with 13 first half games to play, there is no better time to come out to FirstEnergy Park. Tickets for every remaining home game are available online at BlueClaws.com, over the phone at (732) 901-7000 or in-person at the FirstEnergy Park ticket office.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 3, 2008
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- Shorebirds Defeat Captains 3-2 - Lake County Captains
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- Drive End Short Series in Augusta with 5-3 Win - Greenville Drive
- Two Run Hits Prevents Jackets Sweep of Greenville - Augusta GreenJackets
- Unscheduled Fireworks Show Leads to 12th Loss - Columbus Catfish
- 'Birds Close the Gap, Win 3-2, Now a Half Game Out of First Place - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Legends Can't Extend Three-Game Winning Streak - Lexington Legends
- Lakewood Places Four on All-Star Team - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- RiverDogs Conquer Rome - Charleston RiverDogs
- South Atlantic League Announces 2008 All-Star Rosters - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Lincoln, Home Runs Snap Six-Game Skid - Hickory Crawdads
- Greensboro Bangs Out Second Straight - Greensboro Grasshoppers
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- Intimidators Fall 11-5 On Education Day To Greensboro - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Three Shorebirds Selected to SAL All-Star Game - Delmarva Shorebirds
- The 49th Annual SAL All-Star Game - SAL1
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- Suns Drop Season-Worst Sixth in a Row - Hagerstown Suns
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