The All-Star Break

The Asheville Tourists rolled into the All-Star break at 47-23, claimed the Southern Division Title for the First Half of the season, and guaranteed themselves a spot in the playoffs. They put five players in the All-Star game, First Baseman Harold Riggins won the Homerun hitting contest, and this might be the best pitching, top-to-bottom, that the Tourists have had in quite a while. When a team in the low minors has this much success you have to wonder when the parent club is going to make some changes. The Colorado Rockies promoted Outfielder Delta Cleary, Jr., to Class A (Advanced) Modesto and sent outfielder Chandler Laurent from Modesto back to Asheville. Cleary was batting over .300 with 14 Stolen Bases and made the All-Star team. Laurent hit 15 Homeruns with the Tourists last year but was struggling at Modesto batting only .177. The Tourists got power for speed in that exchange. Cleary was also stellar defensively and I saw him make a ESPN worthy catch, leaping high up against the Centerfield fence, about three weeks ago. The Second Half of the season begins tonight against the Rome Braves with Thirsty Thursday.