Four 'Topes Named to PCL All-Star Team

The Pacific Coast League All-Star team will have plenty of representation from the Albuquerque Isotopes, as four 'Topes; pitchers John Ely and Josh Wall, catcher Tim Federowicz, and infielder Luis Cruz have been named to the PCL squad which will take on the International League All-Stars at Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo, New York on Wednesday, July 11. The game will be broadcast live on MLB Network, the Armed Forces Network, and the Triple-A All-Star Game Radio Network.

Federowicz was named the starting catcher of the PCL team after batting .284 with 20 doubles, a triple, seven homers, and 43 RBI this season. The backstop leads the PCL in games played by a catcher with 59 and is third in the circuit in throwing out potential base-stealers, cutting down 40 percent of would-be base thefts. Federowicz was also a South Atlantic League All-Star in 2009 while he was playing with Salem in the Boston Red Sox organization.

Starting pitcher Ely has evolved into the Isotopes' staff ace, posting an 8-5 record with a 3.38 ERA in 16 starts for the 'Topes this year. The right-hander is currently fifth in the PCL in ERA and leads the league in strikeouts with 103. This will also be Ely's second career mid-season All-Star game as he pitched for the Southern League All-Stars in 2009 while with Double-A Birmingham in the Chicago White Sox Chain.

Veteran infielder Cruz has enjoyed a monster season, batting .320 with three triples, seven homers, and 43 RBI in 71 games. He not only leads the PCL with 30 doubles, but is on pace to shatter the record for most two-baggers by a Triple-A Albuquerque player of 41, set by John Lindsey in 2010. Cruz is no stranger to All-Star accolades, having been selected to four All-Star teams throughout his career, including the PCL squad in 2010 while he was a member of the Nashville Sounds.

Wall has been a wall at the back of the 'Topes bullpen, racking up a league-high 17 saves in 34 appearances, tied for third-most in the PCL. The right-hander has failed to secure a save just one time in 18 total chances and has held opposing hitters to a .242 batting average this year. This will be Wall's first All-Star selection at any professional level.

*All statistics are current as of June 28, 2012