GCL Twins

2007 GCL Twins News

Tolbert leads all-star haul

BY KELSIE SMITH
Pioneer Press

The Class AAA all-star team was announced last week, and three Rochester Red Wings made the roster. Infielder Matt Tolbert, whose .348 batting average is second in the International League, was one of 13 players elected by league managers, media members and online fan voting. Tolbert's .400 on-base percentage is seventh in the league. He has struck out 25 times and walked 18 times in 209 at-bats.

Other Red Wings who will travel to Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, N.M., for the July 11 game are catcher Jose Morales and closer Bobby Korecky. Rochester manager Stan Cliburn will attend as a coach.

The switch-hitting Morales, drafted as a second baseman in the third round in 2001, is batting .351 with 17 doubles, one home run and 20 runs batted in in 185 at-bats. Twins director of minor leagues Jim Rantz said this season Morales, who moved to catcher because of his limited infield range, has improved behind the plate.

"The key here, of course, with all the players, is to stay healthy and be consistent, and these guys have been consistent," Rantz said of Tolbert and Morales, who have both struggled with injuries this season.

Korecky is on pace to set a Red Wings record for saves in a season. The right-hander, who missed all but two games of the 2005 season after having Tommy John surgery, has 18 saves and a 3.23 earned-run average in 33 appearances.

"He's bounced back to put himself in a good situation," Rantz said. "He kind of was in the background when we were bringing along (Pat) Neshek. Korecky was kind of behind him, now he's stepped up to be the guy in triple A."

Originally four Red Wings were chosen for the all-star game - the most from any International League team. But top pitching prospect Matt Garza moved up to the big leagues on Thursday, so he will miss both the Class AAA all-star game and the Futures Game held in San Francisco during MLB All-Star Game festivities.

BLACKBURN STILL HOT

Right-hander Nick Blackburn has pitched 41 consecutive innings and gone five starts without giving up an earned run, a Red Wings record. Blackburn has walked just five batters and struck out 28 in 57 1/3 innings. He is 5-1 with a 1.57 ERA in eight starts since joining the Red Wings rotation when Scott Baker was called up to Minnesota in May.

Rantz said Blackburn's scoreless streak is the product of confidence and work ethic. The 25-year-old came to camp in great shape, Rantz said, and took off from there.

"He was a guy that we always thought should be able to pitch at a better level or a higher level," Rantz said. "It happened sooner than later this year. Now he's looking at the next level, and he's definitely made himself into a guy you have look at."

AND THEN THERE WAS ONE

Garza's promotion to the big leagues leaves just one of the Red Wing's Opening Day members of the rotation still on the roster, left-hander David Gassner. The original rotation was comprised of left-hander Glen Perkins, called up April 12, and right-handers Baker, who joined the Twins May 19, and Kevin Slowey, who left for the big leagues May 30.