Expect To See Power At All-Star Game

When the American and National League teams take the field Tuesday, Aug. 19, for the Fourth annual New York-Penn League All-Star Game at Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy, N.Y., there's no doubt which side will have the power -- the National League.

Though the league is comprised of three divisions (McNamara, Stedler, Pinckney), the All-Star Game is broken into two leagues that mirror that of their Major League parent clubs.

The NL -- made up of Batavia, Brooklyn, Jamestown (which has the league's best record at 33-18), State College, Tri-City (the host team), Vermont and Williamsport -- boasts the top two power hitters in the league. First baseman Phil Disher (Tri-City) and catcher Miguel Fermin (Jamestown) are tied for the New York-Penn lead in home runs with 11. Disher also leads the league in RBIs (41) and Fermin sits atop the crop with a .374 average.

Jamestown and Batavia are sending a league-high six representatives, as will the American League's best-represented team, Staten Island.

Jamestown boasts three other talented hitters in third baseman Paul Gran (.335), designated hitter Ben Lasater (.331) and second baseman Brandon Turner (.321). The Jammers are the best hitting team in the league, boasting a .279 average with 51 home runs. That doesn't mean they don't have pitching, however, as Daniel Jennings (1-1, 2.95 ERA) and Wade Korpi (5-1, 1.91) will make their way to Troy.

Four hitters and two pitchers will represent Batavia, which is currently third in the Pinckney Division. Right-hander Arquimedes Nieto maintains the lowest ERA in the league (1.42) and is undefeated in seven starts and 11 appearances and has a good chance to start for the NL. Closer Adam Reifer is tied for the league lead in saves (14) with Staten Island's switch-pitching phenomenon Pat Venditte, who also was selected as one of the league's 56 All-Stars.

Offensively, second baseman Colt Sedbrook leads the way with a .304 average and a team-high six triples. Third baseman Jermaine Curtis (.293), center fielder Frederick Parejo (.279) and right fielder Shane Peterson (.280, 30 RBIs) round out the Muckdogs' representation.

Venditte has only allowed three earned runs in 22 2/3 innings for a Staten Island that boasts a team ERA of 3.06. Joining the ambidextrous hurler on the staff will be teammates David Phelps (5-2, 2.98) and Andy Shive (7-2, 2.18, 40 K's).

Combining forces with representatives from the best staff in the league will be Staten Island catcher Brian Baisley (.324, 32 RBIs), third baseman Mike Lyon (.283) and shortstop Addison Maruzak (.333).

The majority of the American League will be represented by four teams -- Auburn, Hudson Valley, Mahoning Valley (each of which is sending five players) and the Yankees.

The Scrappers boast the leading online vote-getter in catcher Robbie Alcombrack. Alcombrack is hitting .283 with one homer and 11 RBIs through 31 games. He will be joined by his teammates Lonnie Chisenhall (the Indians' first-round pick, .272, 33 RBIs), first baseman Brock Simpson (.304), second baseman Isaias Velasquez (.303) and left-handed pitcher Eric Berger (2-0, 2.12).

Representing the defending champion Doubledays will be designated hitter Adam Amar, the second-leading hitter in the league (.351, 8 HRs, 33 RBIs). Joining him are first baseman Michael McDade (.331), center fielder Chris Demons (.251) and pitchers Joel Carreno (5-2, 2.86 ERA, league-high 61 Ks) and Castillo Perez (4-3, 2.91).

Hudson Valley is sending four sluggers and one pitcher -- Matt Gorgen, whose twin brother, Scott, plays for Batavia. Center fielder Jason Coder (.342, 30 RBIs), left fielder Kyeong Kang (.295, 35 RBIs), right fielder Anthony Scelfo (.275) and third baseman Jason Tweedy (.282) will make the trip for the Renegades.

Williamsport fronts four representatives, including right-hander Robert Roth, who won his first seven outings of the season (7-2, 3.39). Shortstop Troy Hanzawa (.277, 25 RBIs), catcher Travis D'Arnaud (.313) and left fielder Steve Susdorf (.349, 19 RBIs) round out the quartet from Pennsylvania.

The host team boasts three All-Stars -- left fielder Jack Shuck, right-hander Philip Rummel and center fielder Thomas Steele -- as does Vermont, Brooklyn and Aberdeen. Brooklyn's Brad Holt (2-2, 2.08, 61 Ks) headlines the list of Cyclones, while the Lake Monsters' P.J. Dean (3-0, 0.49, 30 Ks) and IronBirds' Cole McCurry (7-1, 2.67, 49 Ks) help round out the impressive All-Star staff.

Stedler Division-leading Lowell, along with Oneonta and State College (which has the worst record in the league) will send two players apiece. State College shortstop Chase D'Arnaud will join brother Travis, who catches for Williamsport, in the Midsummer Classic.

The American League All-Star team will be led by Staten Island's first-year manager Pat McMahon while Jamestown skipper Darrin Everson and his coaching staff guide the National Leaguers.

A Home Run Derby will take place at 6 p.m., and the midsummer classic's first pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.

Nick Cammarota is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.