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EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Two R-Phils Highlight Topps Double-A All-Star Team

November 18, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Reading, PA) - Michael Taylor and Neil Sellers, two players who spent the 2009 season as members of the Reading Phillies, are among ten players selected to the 2009 Topps Double-All Star Team. The team, which is being honored by the Topps Company of New York, N.Y., in conjunction with Minor League Baseball, recognizes the best performances in all Minor League Baseball classifications. The Philadelphia Phillies are the only team to have more than one player named to the squad.

Taylor, 23, began the season with Reading and was on a torrid pace before his promotion to Lehigh Valley (AAA) on July 16. A native of Apoka, Fla, Taylor finished with a.333 bating average, 15 home runs and 65 RBI's over 86 games with the R-Phils in 2009. The 6'6, 260 pound Taylor has also shown speed on the base paths - swiping 18 bags in 22 attempts with the R-Phils in 2009.

A product of Stanford University, Taylor was named Rookie of the Year by the Eastern League in September and the award was just one of many for the talented outfielder. Taylor also received an Eastern League Player of the Week award for the week ending June 7th, an Eastern League Player of the Month award for June and a spot on the Southern Division roster for the 2009 Eastern League All-Star Game.

Earlier this month, Taylor was named by Baseball America as the No. 3 prospect in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Baseball America also named Taylor the "Best Batting Prospect" and the "Most Exciting Player" in the Eastern League. The hard-working Taylor was also selected as an outfielder on the 2009 Eastern League Post-Season All-Star Team.

Sellers, 27, enjoyed a solid season at the plate for Reading in 2009. A native of Robards, KY., Sellers ripped an Eastern League best 164 hits and batted a solid.317. Sellers, who was taken by the Philadelphia Phillies in the December 2007 Rule 5 Draft, finished in the top five in the Eastern League in average, slugging percentage, doubles, on-base percentage, and extra base hits. Also solid with the leather, Sellers led all Easter League third baseman with a.961 fielding percentage.

A 2009 Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star, Sellers was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 32nd round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft. His remarkable 2009 campaign comes a year after posting solid numbers with the R-Phils in 2008. A product of Eastern Kentucky, Sellers batted.275 with 19 home runs and 78 RBI's for the R-Phils in 2008. He finished tied for third in the Eastern League in games played and tied for fifth in doubles and home runs last season.

Filling out the roster were first baseman Chris Carter (Midland), second baseman Daniel Descalso (Springfield), shortstop Eduardo Nunez (Trenton), catcher Tyler Flowers (Birmingham), outfielders Ezequiel Carrera (West Tenn) and Desmond Jennings (Montgomery), designated hitter Brian Dopirak (New Hampshire), and pitcher Travis Wood (Carolina).

Full season and partial season ticket packages for the 2010 season are on sale now and can be purchased in person at FirstEnergy Stadium, by calling (610) 375-8469 or by visiting www.R-Phils.com. "Bring the Fam to America's Classic Ballpark."

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