By Justin Lada
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The New York Collegiate Baseball League has set the rosters for their Mid-Summer Classic on Wednesday, June 11th and it will include a total of six Syracuse Salt Cats.
Dan Fiorito (Manhantanville College) will be named to his second NYCBL All-Star game. The shortstop from Yonkers, New York hit his sixth home run in Satruday night’s 10-6 loss to the Syracuse Jr. Chiefs, which puts him in second place in the power category in the NYCBL.
In addition to his power totals, Fiorito also ranks second in the league in walks drown with 21 compared to just seven strike outs. He also ranks 11th in the league in on base percentage and leads the Salt Cats in RBIs with 22.
“To make the All-Star game is a huge accomplishment with all the talent in the league. It’s an opportunity you want to capitalize on. It’s good exposure, with all the talent there, there will be scouts. I want to go there and represent the Salt Cats well”, Fiorito said of playing in the All-Star game for the second straight season.
Joining Fiorito in the in the All-Star showcase will be one of his double play partners, Bud Morton (Moorehead State). The switch hitting second basemen is leading the Salt Cats in hitting at a .455, which is also good for third in the league. The spark plug infielder can play all around the diamond and hit anywhere near the top and bottom of the lineup. He has stolen 12 bases and has also walked eighth times compared to strikeouts.
“It’s a great honor, I feel blessed. I’m so glad coach gave me the opportunity to showcase my skills. I hope I can use all my skills to help us beat the West. I worked on not striking out, just getting on base, and stealing bases, creating havoc for the other team and making sure the hitters behind me see more fastballs”, Morton said of what he worked on to get the NYCBL summer classic.
Kevin Bailey (Alvernia University) will also bring his bat to Niagara next week. The catcher from Fallston, Maryland finds himself 10th in the league in league. He is 4th in the Eastern Division, a .396 clip and also hit his first home run of the year last week. In addition to being one of four team members to appear in every game, he has shouldered the catching duties or being the designated hitter.
“It feels great to be an All-Star. I wish every Salt Cat could be an All-Star, we have a good hitting, pitching team. I’m working on drawing more walks and not being a free swinger. I’m looking forward to seeing Niagara falls for the first time and my family seeing it”, Bailey said of the chance to play in the All-Star game.
In addition to the Salt Cats four All-Stars, the squad will also send two players to MLB Scouts, Skills Competition, which is run by MLB scouts for potential pro prospects, performing a gauntlet of drills.
Sean Williams (Oklahoma State-Panhandle) who leads the Salt Cats starters in wins (2) and strikeouts (29) will showcase his 6’4 right handed power arm as the only starting pitching on the Salt Cats to make the mid-summer classic.
“I’m pretty excited to have made the team, looking forward to it. I’m glad a couple of my teammates made it, just have to go out there and work hard and represent our team”, Williams said of his All-Star nod.
Catcher Connor Thompson (Mansfield) who was also a 2011 NYCBL All-Star selection for the Salt Cats, will show off his bat (3 HR, 4 2B, 13 RBI) as well as his arm and blocking skills from behind the plate.
“It’s an honor to make the team, made it last year. It feels good to be recognized by other people, of all the hard work you put in”, Thompson said of being recognized as an All-Star for the second straight year in the league.
Thompson will not play in the All-Star game, but will participate in the MLB Scouts Skills Competition which will have his arm, catching skills and bat tested by pro scouts.
“It’s a good way to get looks and talk to people and hopefully things work out”, Thompson said of being tested in the skills competition.
Another member of the Salt Cats battery, closer Bo Watson (Onondaga CC) will be showing off his power arm for scouts, as he prepares to make the transfer for Division I St. Bonaventure this fall. The 6’3 220lb right hander is 8th in the league in strikeouts with 28 and is 2nd on the team in that category. Arguably the Salt Cats best reliever sports a 16.8 strikeouts per 9 innings rate. He has a 3.00 ERA in 15 innings pitched for the Salt Cats.
“I’m pretty excited, I’ve worked on my command, throwing strikes, throwing harder. Just working to strike people out. I’m more excited about the scouting combine to get my name out there, and hopefully can impress a few scouts”, Watson said of his shot to show off his power arm to the MLB.
Coach Mike Martinez also felt that the Salt Cats that will be in Niagara will represent the team well and brings a lot of the Easter division’s All-Star squad.
“I expect our six players, four that will play in the game, will compete at their highest level. Our guys are at the level of everyone else. I think our guys can help the East come out on top this year like we did last year.”
Also representing the Western Division for the Salt Cats will be assistant coach/pitching coach, Shaun Cavney (Brockport College).
This year’s NYCBL All-Star Game is being hosted by the Niagara Power at Sal Maglie Stadium in Niagara Falls, New York. There will be a media photo session at 1pm and the MLB Scouts Skills Competition kicks off at 1:30.
First pitch for the All-Star game will be at 7:05. The Salt Cats All-Stars will be representing the Western division.
Find out what the NYCBL All-Star day itinerary looks like as the day gets started early on Wednesday July 11th.
Leave a Reply