Rochester’s Chris Colabello and Andrew Albers Named International League All-Stars
By Wally Fish
The 26th Triple-A All-Star game will be played in Reno, Nevada on July 17th. The Reno Aces will serve as the host team as the Pacific Coast League and International League’s best will face off as they have every year since 1998. From 1988 to 1997 the rosters were split out into American and National League teams. The rosters for both 2013 squads were announced a week ago and the Rochester Red Wings will be represented by two players.
Colabello will have a busy Triple-A All-Star break. (Photo Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports)
1B Chris Colabello (29) earned a starting spot while LHP Andrew Albers (27) made the team as a reserve. Both players were logical choices based on their 2013 seasons to date.
Colabello: 0.357/.436/.650, 22 2B, 22 HR, 69 RBI, 41 BB and 75 SO in 351 PA (80) and has also played 7 games in the majors. He leads Rochester in nearly every offensive category (R, 2B, HR, RBI, TB, BA, OBP and SLG) and is second in walks. His dominance has spilled over from his team and also encompasses the league as a whole. In the IL he ranks first in BA, second in HR, 11th in doubles, fifth in runs, first in RBI, 10th in walks, second in OBP, first in SLG and first in OPS.
Albers: 3.29 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 91-26 SO-to-BB in 104.0 IP. While not as dominant in the league rankings as his teammate, Albers leads the Red Wings in starts, innings, strikeouts and hits allowed. His ERA is second in the team’s rotation behind only Kyle Gibson who’s now pitching in the majors. In terms of league rankings, he’s sixth in innings, tenth in ERA and third in strikeouts.
In addition to being voted into the game as a starter, Colabello will be one of six players to take part in the 2013 Triple-A Home Run Derby which will take place on July 15th. Ernesto Mejia (Braves) and Mauro Gomez (Blue Jays) will be joining the Twins farmhand as the representatives for the International League while the PCL has selected Johnny Monell (Giants), Matt Davidson (Diamondbacks) and former Twins’ prospect Brock Peterson (Cardinals).