Stanton Named to South Atlantic League Annual All-Star Team

Grasshoppers Slugger Has 11 Home Run Advantage on League’s Leader Board

GREENSBORO – After being left off the mid-season all-star roster, Greensboro’s Mike Stanton beefed up his average, became more patient at the plate and has hit more second-half home runs than all-but two other league batters have hit all season. Today he was rewarded for his efforts by being named to the 2008 South Atlantic League Annual All-Star Team that was released by league president Eric Krupa.

Currently, the Florida Marlins’ 2007 second-round selection is hitting for a .289 average and leads the league with his franchise-record, 35 home runs — 11 more than any other batter in the Sally League.

Stanton also leads the league in slugging percentage (.592) and extra-base hits (64) and has the league’s fourth-most RBIs (87).

The Sunland, Calif., native’s name can also find on the Minor League Baseball leader board. Stanton currently ranks fourth in the minors in home runs (35) and total bases (268), while ranking sixth in extra-base hits (64) and eighth in slugging percentage (.592).

Immediately following the South Atlantic League’s mid-season all-star break, Stanton was tabbed the league’s player of the week for his efforts from June 16-22. During that span that right-handed sluggers hit for a .375 clip and garnered a hit in every game he played including three consecutive games with a home run.

After hitting 15 first-half home runs, Stanton has already passed that mark with 20 in the second half. His second-half home run total alone would rank him third in the South Atlantic League, but combined with his first half totals and Stanton finds himself with an 11 homerun cushion over fellow SAL hitters.

Stanton’s also received accolades in the latest edition of Baseball America. The publication had league managers take a survey in which Stanton was selected as the Sally’s best power prospect.

Although Stanton was Greensboro’s only selection to the team, the league also named Madison Bumgarner (Augusta) as its Most Outstanding Pitcher, Jason Heyward (Rome) as its Most Outstanding MLB Prospect and Darin Holcomb (Asheville) as its Most Valuable Player.
*****from Justin Stottlemyre Hoppers’ media assistant*****