RiverDogs to Send Five to SAL All-Star Game June 17th

CHARLESTON- The Charleston RiverDogs will be represented by catcher Jesus Montero, second baseman Justin Snyder, pitchers Jason Stephens and Jonathan Ortiz and Manager Torre Tyson at the 2008 South Atlantic League (SAL) All-Star Game on June 17th at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro, NC, the league announced Monday.

“I am happy for the four players who are getting this opportunity to represent our team at the All-Star Game,” Tyson said. “I also feel that we would have had more players deserving of the honor had they been able to stay healthy for more of the half.”

Montero will serve as the Southern Division’s starting catcher, following a first-half in which the 18-year-old put up potent offensive numbers. The number six overall prospect in the Yankees organization, according to Baseball America, is currently hitting .308 with a team-leading six home runs, 40 RBI and 35 runs scored. The Venezuela native burst onto the scene in the month of April, batting a scorching .360 clip with three home runs, 20 RBI and 20 runs scored.

Snyder has been selected as a utility infielder for the Southern Division team, and has been one of the RiverDogs’ most consistent bats this season. The former University of San Diego standout has started 55 games for Charleston this season and is hitting .303 with three home runs, 22 RBI and 33 runs scored.

Stephens, a Tallmadge, Ohio native, makes his first SAL All-Star appearance in the midst of his first full season back from Tommy John surgery. The 6’5” right-hander has a 2-2 record with a 1.64 ERA in 14 appearances, which include five starts since joining the Charleston rotation on May 8. A former 6th round draft selection in 2003, Stephens had the best start of his six-year career on May 30th against Hickory, tossing seven shutout innings allowing just six hits with no walks and a career-high 12 strikeouts in a 5-0 RiverDogs victory.

Ortiz, signed by the Yankees as an non-drafted free agent in 2004, has been one of the premier closers in the league this season with 16 saves in 19 opportunities. The Bani, D.R. native has a 1-1 record with a 1.69 ERA and is tied for the league lead with 24 appearances.

Tyson, in his second season as the RiverDogs’ manager, will serve as a coach on the Southern Division team. It will be a bit of a homecoming for the Charleston skipper, as he played for the SAL’s Greensboro Bats in the 2000 season, when the franchise was a New York Yankees affiliate.

“Personally, I am excited to get my first opportunity to coach in an All-Star Game,” Tyson said. “This means a lot to me, especially because I played in Greensboro. I’m sure it will bring back a lot of great memories.”