Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Four Mudcats Named to All-Star Team

Zebulon, NC --- Four Carolina Mudcats were named to the 2005 Southern League's Northern Division All-Star team in an announcement released earlier this afternoon.

Catcher Jason Hill, right fielder Jeremy Hermida, and pitchers Josh Johnson and Chris Resop were named to the Northern squad, which will be managed by Tennessee manager Tony Perezchica.  The game will be held at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Alabama on Wednesday, July 13th.

Hill, 28, is hitting .310 in 60 games while playing first base and catcher.  Hill's 10 homers are his most since 2001.  Hill is slugging .558, which is 4th in the league.  Hill is in his 8th season of pro baseball, and his first in the Florida Marlins organization.

Hermida, 21, is reinforcing his status as the system's top prospect.  Hermida is hitting .303 through 74 games with a career-high 13 homers and a team-high 39 RBI.  Hermida's 64 walks rank him 3rd in the minors, and resulting his on-base percentage is 8th in all of minor league baseball at .452.  Hermida will also be representing the Marlins at the XM Satellite Radio Futures Game in Detroit, Michigan on July 10th.  Hermida is in his fourth season of pro baseball.

Johnson, 21, is enjoying a breakout season while pitching at Double-A for the first time in his career.  Johnson leads the pitching staff with seven wins, and has been in the top 10 in league ERA almost the entire 2005 season.  Johnson, a four-year pro veteran, has allowed just three homers in 78 2/3 innings, while striking out 66 batters.

Resop, 22, is also in his first Double-A season, and has dominated teams late in games.  The converted outfielder has saved 18 of 19 chances this season, including 11 straight.  Resop was just recalled to the major leagues after last night's game against Birmingham.  Resop is 1-0 with a 2.60 ERA over 27 appearances, fanning 31 in 27 2/3 innings.