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SL1 Mississippi Braves

Matt Kennelly Added to South Division All-Stars

June 9, 2014 - Southern League (SL1)
Mississippi Braves News Release


PEARL, MS -- The Southern League of Professional Baseball Clubs announced that Mississippi Braves catcher Matt Kennelly has been added to the South Division All-Star team. The 2014 Southern League All-Star Game pits the North Division against the South Division Tuesday, June 17 at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Kennelly joins six other Braves players as announced last week. Two position players and four pitchers were originally selected to represent the Mississippi Braves as Southern League All-Stars. Shortstop Elmer Reyes and outfielder Mycal Jones were named to the team along with starting pitchers Aaron Northcraft and Williams Perez. Relievers James Hoyt and Shae Simmons were also selected to represent the Double-A Braves.

Kennelly, 25, has a .303 average through 34 games for the M-Braves this season. The Australian catcher is hitting .524 against lefties and .429 with two out and runners in scoring position. Kennelly was signed by the Braves as a free agent on November 18, 2013. He originally signed with the Braves in August 2005. He started the season at Triple-A Gwinnett last year before being released and picked up by the Cincinnati Reds organization.

Initial rosters were announced on June 3 and 4 with movements forced afterwards due to transactions and injuries. Simmons will not participate in the Southern League All-Star game since he was promoted to the Atlanta Braves. Kennelly is replacing Jacksonville catcher J.T. Realmuto. He was promoted to the Miami Marlins. Montogmery's Santiago Garrido will replace Simmons on the South Division roster.

Players were selected after a vote by Southern League field managers, radio broadcasters, general managers and print media. All players on Southern League rosters as of May 15 were eligible in the voting.

The Mississippi Braves baseball team is the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Since making the move from Greenville, SC, in 2005, over 85 M-Braves have gone on to play in the big leagues. The M-Braves have made postseason play three times and went on to win the Southern League Championship in 2008. Tickets are on sale now. Stop by Trustmark Park or call 888-BRAVES4 Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For the latest news and updates, visit mississippibraves.com, facebook.com/mbraves and twitter.com/mbraves.

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