PCL all-stars named

6/30/2006

Nashville had four players selected to the Pacific Coast League All-Star team

announced yesterday, tops among the 16 teams in the PCL.

Among the Sounds elected as starters for the Triple-A All-Star Game, which will be played at Fifth Third Field July 12, are catcher Mike Rivera, who played for the Hens

in 2000 and 2002, as well as outfi elder Tony Gwynn Jr., the son of the Hall of Fame

outfielder for the Padres and fellow outfi elder Nelson Cruz. Nashville s fourth

representative is pitcher Ben Hendrickson.

The starters are elected in a vote that includes three sources, which were

weighted equally: an online fan vote, voting of team general managers and field managers, and voting by the media.

The rest of the squad was selected by the league office.

Round Rock and Salt Lake each will have three players on the team. Round Rock s choices include pitchers Chris Baker and Jason Hirsh as well as outfi elder Luke Scott. The three Salt Lake players chosen are infi elder Howie Kendrick and pitchers Joe Saunders and Jered Weaver, the brother of former Tiger Jeff Weaver.

Rivera and Sacramento pitcher Matt Roney are the only two former Mud Hens

named to the team.

Among the other players named to the team are fi ve of Baseball America s

top prospects entering this season. Tucson shortstop Stephen Drew, ranked fifth

by the magazine before the season began, will play in Toledo along with

Salt Lake s Howie Kendrick (ranked 12th), Hirsh (52nd), Oklahoma s Edinson

Volquez (56th) and Weaver (57th).