Smokies put six on SL All-Star team
Published on June 27, 2006 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn.- The Tennessee Smokies announced on Tuesday that the team had placed six players on the Southern League North Division All-Star team.
Catcher Miguel Montero along with infielders Jamie D'Antona, Jerry Gil and Danny Richar will make the trip to Montgomery, Ala. along with pitchers Ross Ohlendorf and Doug Slaten for the July 10 showcase at Riverwalk Stadium.
Montero, a 23-year old catcher from Venezuela is hitting .270 with 8 home runs and 36 RBI while protecting the plate for Tennessee. This will be the second straight year that Montero has been selected for an all-star game after being named to the California League team in 2005.
The 23-year old D'Antona returned for his second season with the Smokies in 2006 and has delivered with a .246 average, 11 home runs and 38 RBI for the Smokies. D'Antona's 11 home runs have already surpassed his total for the entire 2005 season when he knocked out 9 with Tennessee.
Jerry Gil also returned for a second season with the Smokies, learning the role of center field while continuing to play infield. The Dominican Republic native is hitting .271 since joining the team in the beginning of May and has roped 12 home runs, good enough for third in the Southern League.
Richar is a newcomer to the Southern League in 2006 and has wasted no time in making his presence felt on opposing pitchers, leading the league with a .327 batting average. Richar's performance comes as no surprise to those who saw him play in Lancaster of the California League in 2005 where he hit .300 with 20 home runs and 79 RBI for the JetHawks.
Pitcher Ross Ohlendorf has led the Smokies starting staff since the departure of Micah Owings and paces the team with 6 wins in 2006. The Texas natives name is dotted amongst the league leaders in pitching categories; Ohlendorf ranks 3rd in the league in wins (6) and innings pitched (101.0) as well as 6th in ERA (2.58) through Tuesday. Ohlendorf was selected to the 2005 Midwest League All-Star game while with the South Bend Silver Hawks.
Slaten is a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks' 40-man roster and has anchored the Tennessee bullpen since the departure of Tony Pena and Mike Schultz. Slaten has notched 5 saves for the Smokies while posting a 2.33 ERA coming out of the bullpen. The California native has struck out 48 batters while allowing only 8 walks.
The Smokies take on the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx in a doubleheader on Tuesday evening beginning at 5:30 before wrapping the series up on Wednesday with a Noon start time.
Southern League Stories from June 27, 2006
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- Five Suns errors lead to Carolina victory - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Jaxx drop both games to Smokies in double header - Jackson Generals
- Braves pounded by Barons - Mississippi Braves
- BayBears beat Biscuits 6-1 - Mobile BayBears
- Carolina bombs Jacksonville 10-1 - Carolina Mudcats
- Yourkin joins Mudcats, Barone sent to Jupiter - Carolina Mudcats
- Lookouts send five to All-Star Game - Chattanooga Lookouts
- North Division All-Star Team Announced - Jackson Generals
- Patterson Named BC Powder Hitter of the Week - Jackson Generals
- Smokies put six on SL All-Star team - Knoxville Smokies
- Southern League North Division All-Star Game Rosters Announced - SL1
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