SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Three Kannapolis Intimidators Named SAL All-Star Starters

June 7, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (June 7, 2011) - The Kannapolis Intimidators, Class A Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, will be represented by three players in this season's South Atlantic League All-Star Game, the league announced earlier this morning. Centerfielder Trayce Thompson will start for the Northern Division squad along with teammates Brady Shoemaker in left field and Ross Wilson at second base on June 21 at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Md., home of the Delmarva Shorebirds.

Thompson, a second-round pick of the White Sox in the 2009 draft, leads Kannapolis with 10 home runs to go along with 34 RBI in 55 games. He currently ranks fourth in the SAL with 42 runs scored, and he has shown great range in centerfield for the Intimidators this season. Baseball America rates Thompson as the No. 9 Prospect in the White Sox organization entering this season, his second-straight season as a Top 30 White Sox prospect.

Shoemaker has started all 56 games this season for Kannapolis in left field and is batting .301 with eight home runs and a team-leading 39 RBI. The White Sox selected him in the 19th round of the 2009 draft. Shoemaker was named to the Appalachian League All-Star Team in 2009 and was the APPY Batter of the Week for July 6-12, 2009. He also began his pro career with a 28-game hitting streak, the fourth-longest hitting streak in the minor leagues.

Wilson, who has recently moved into the leadoff spot in the order, has been a staple in the Intimidators middle-infield this season. He is batting .280 with a home run and 17 RBI with an on-base percentage of . 375. A product of the University of Alabama, Wilson was named First- Team All-SEC in 2009 as a sophomore before the White Sox drafted him in the 10th round in 2010. Wilson graduated from Hoover (Ala.) High School where he was featured on MTV's "Two-A-Days."

Catcher Mike Blanke also earned South Atlantic League All-Star honors but has been replaced on the roster after being promoted by the White Sox to Class A-Advanced Winston-Salem on June 3. He ranks sixth in the league, throwing out 32.4 percent of attempting basestealers. Offensively, Blanke hit .259 with two home runs and 18 RBI in 47 games with Kannapolis. He entered the season as the No. 14 Prospect in the White Sox organization, according to Baseball America. A 14th round pick in the 2010 draft, Blanke was named Most Valuable Player at Advanced Rookie Great Falls last season, batting .329 with seven home runs and 43 RBI.

The Kannapolis Intimidators conclude their series against the Rome Braves tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium with KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets, where fans can bring a KRAFT proof or purchase to receive a free ticket with purchase of a ticket. It's also Two-For-Tuesday with special 2-for-1 deals throughout the ballpark at concession stands and in the merchandise store. For tickets, please call the box office at (704) 932-3267 or visit the team's website at www.IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 7, 2011


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