HR Derby Competitors Announced

LANSING, Mich. - The Lansing Lugnuts announce the following field for the 2018 Midwest League Home Run Derby, to be held on Tuesday, June 19th, before the 54th Annual Midwest League All-Star Game presented by LAFCU at Cooley Law School Stadium:

Eastern Division Sluggers:
* Will Benson, Lake County (CLE) - Drafted 14th overall in 2016 from The Westminster School (GA), the 19-year-old Captains right fielder is ranked by MLB.com as Cleveland's No. 8 prospect. In 2016, he won the gold medal with Team USA at the WBSC 18U Baseball World Cup and was named to the Perfect Game All-American 1st Team. Benson is tied for the Midwest League lead with 11 home runs.
* Hendrik Clementina, Dayton (CIN) - A native of Willemstad, Curacao, the 20-year-old Dragons catcher was acquired by Cincinnati via trade with Scott Van Slyke for Tony Cingrani last season. Despite playing in only 42 games this season, Clementina has bashed nine home runs and boasts a .615 slugging percentage.
* Ronaldo Hernandez, Bowling Green (TB) - The top catching prospect in the Tampa Bay Rays' organization, the 20-year-old Hernandez was signed as an international free agent from Arjona, Colombia. He has eight home runs this season and ranks third in the Midwest League with a .514 slugging percentage.
Western Division Sluggers:
* Jasrado Chisholm, Kane County (ARI) - The 20-year-old Cougars shortstop was signed as an international free agent in 2015 out of Nassau, Bahamas, and now ranks as the No. 3 prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks' system. Chisholm leads all Midwest League middle infielders in home runs, blasting eight home runs this season.
* Ryan Costello, Clinton (SEA) - A 31st-rounder out of Central Connecticut State, Costello dominated the 2017 Arizona League, ranking in the top three in home runs, slugging percentage, extra-base hits and total bases. The 21-year-old LumberKings first baseman has not missed a beat, swatting nine homers this year.
* Alex Kirilloff, Cedar Rapids (MIN) - Drafted one pick after Will Benson, 15th in 2016, the 20-year-old Kirilloff is rated MLB.com's No. 6 prospect in the Minnesota Twins' organization. The Kernels' outfielder has knocked 11 home runs this year, tied with Benson for the league lead. He also leads the Midwest League in hits, RBIs and total bases while ranking second with a .585 slugging percentage.
Coincidentally, Costello (June 13th), Benson (June 16th) and Clementina (June 17th) will all celebrate birthdays leading up to the Midsummer Classic.

Only three more Lansing Lugnuts home games remain before the All-Star Break! The Lugnuts return to Cooley Law School Stadium on Friday, June 15th, opening a three-game series against South Bend featuring Family Faith Night with LAFCU Fireworks on June 15th, Star Wars Night with LAFCU Fireworks on June 16th, and a Father's Day Delta Dental Kids Day with a special Jersey Giveaway on June 17th.

Then it's time for the slugging to commence, as the Midwest League All-Star Game presented by LAFCU returns to Lansing on Tuesday, June 19th, with a pregame Block Party, team autograph sessions, a Commemorative Batting Helmet giveaway to the first 1,000 fans, and postgame LAFCU Fireworks! To purchase tickets, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.Tickets may be purchased at the Cooley Law School Stadium box office, by calling (517) 485-4500 or via lansinglugnuts.com.
# # #