Suiting up for the North Division will be right-handed pitchers Chris Volstad and Chris Mobley, along with first-year Mudcats Gaby Sanchez, Chris Coghlan, Cameron Maybin, and Johnny Raynor. Mudcats first-year manager Matt Raleigh will lead the North team.
Volstad, in his second year as a Mudcat, currently possesses a 4-3 record with a 3.28 earned run average in fourteen Southern League starts. Mobley, who is currently in his third tenure with the Mudcats, is third in the Southern League in saves with 12.
First baseman Gaby Sanchez is seventh in the league in batting with a .314 average and third with 26 doubles, collecting 26. He is also eight in bases on balls with 44.
Top prospect Cameron Maybin is seventh in the league in homers with 13 and the outfielder is ninth in walks with 42. Maybin is also second in triples with six. Second baseman Chris Coghlan is sixth in the league with doubles while outfielder Johnny Raynor is third in the league in runs scored with 60.
Also of note, Mudcats reliever Jesus Delgado was recently named to the 2008 Futures Game on July 13 in Yankee Stadium in New York. Last year the Florida Marlins sent current Mudcats Rick Vanden Hurk and Chris Coghlan to the game, which features the best prospects in baseball. Vanden Hurk was the starting pitcher for the World Team and collected the win.
With the all-star break less than two weeks away, all the players are excited and preparing for the annual midseason event. Prior to the All-Star game, the Raleigh Miracle League baseball team will take the field and play a game against the Southern League All-Stars which will take place of the traditional Home Run Derby contest that preludes the game.
Will Privette