Miners named all-stars

ANCHORAGE — The Mat-Su Miners are not exactly a home run hitting team. But today, Stephen Branca and Adam Martin will be swinging for the fences.

Branca and Martin have been selected to participate in the Alaska Baseball League’s 2011 State Farm Home Run Derby today at 2 p.m. at Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage.

Branca and Martin are two of 14 picked to participate in the league’s first home run derby. Ironically, both have not hit a home run this year. The Miners actually have only one combined homer, a shot Michael Suiter put out of Mulcahy earlier this year. Despite their zeroes in this stat category, Mat-Su head coach Brian Yocke said both have plenty of potential to go yard.

“They both have solid approaches. They hit line drives in the gaps. If they get away from that approach, they both have enough pop to get some out,” Yocke said.

Branca is also one of eight Miners named an ABL All-Star. Six of those eight will participate in the league’s first all-star game, which is slated to start following the home run derby, today at 4 p.m.

Branca, outfielder Dominick Francia, infielder Kevin Lum, pitcher Ben Graff and pitcher Mark Anderson will all suit up for the ABL’s Gold Team during the game. Infielder Ryan Ford will play for the ABL’s Navy Team. Pitchers David Gibson and Ryan Dull were named all-stars, but will not play, Yocke said.

“It’s exciting for them,” Yocke said of the group selected. “It’s good exposure for them, especially at the (ABL MLB) Showcase in front of a bunch of scouts.”

The festivities come on the final day of the Showcase, an annual event designed to bring all of the ABL’s teams and MLB scouts to one venue over one weekend.

Branca, Francia and Lum have been among Mat-Su’s leaders in a number of offensive categories throughout the year. As of Saturday afternoon, Branca led the team with 28 hits, six doubles and 13 RBI. Francia has team-high 21 stolen bases and team-best 17 runs scored. Lum is among the leaders with his 24 hits, 12 runs and .289 batting average.

“Lum pieces together good at-bats and finds hits, Branca usually comes up with the big hits and Francia gets on and steals a lot of bases,” Yocke said.

Ford — batting .253 with 19 hits and 10 runs scored — has been one of the hottest Mat-Su hitters, as of late.

“In the beginning of the season he struggled a little bit getting used to the wood bats, but his level of contact is up big time,” Yocke said of Ford, who has been moved to the top of the Mat-Su batting order.”

Graff, another all-star, currently leads the team with a 0.59 earned run average. In 10 appearances, the big lefty has allowed only one earned run. He also has 11 strikeouts in 16 innings.

Anderson is one of three Miners pitchers with a team-high three wins. The Brigham Young product has a 2.25 ERA in seven appearances.

Alaska Baseball

League All-Stars

Gold team:

Infielders — Mike Miller, Pilots; Troy Channing, Oilers; Jacob Valdez, Bucs; Stephen Branca, Miners; Taylor Oldham, Fire; Kevin Lum, Miners.

Outfielders — JJ Turbin, Fire; Aaron Judge, Fire; Dominick Francia, Miners.

Catchers — Manny Reyes, Oilers; Colby Braddock, Fire.

Pitchers — Brian McIlhanny, Bucs; Gabriel Asukura, Oilers; Cam McVey, Oilers; Ben Heller, Fire; Ben Graff Miners; Reese McGraw, Oilers; Mark Anderson, Miners; Brandon Kizer, Oilers; Michael White, Fire.

Will not play — Taylor Aikenhead, Fire; John Maciel, Oilers; David Gibson, Miners; Ryan Dull, Miners; Tanner Rust, Oilers.

Navy team:

Infielders — Patrick Wisdom, Oilers; Brady Hohl, Pilots; Chris Mallory, Oilers; Clayton Eslick, Pilots; Cole Bullard, Fire; Ryan Ford, Miners; Cael Brockmeyer, Pilots;

Outfielders — Matt Vinson, Pilots.

Catchers — Ryan McChesney, Oilers; Maxx Garrett, Pilots.

Pitchers — Charlie Gillies, Fire; Kyle Finnegan, Bucs; Trevor Bayless, Pilots; Matt Sims, Bucs; Jordan Mills, Oilers; Hunter Lemke, Bucs; Andy Grunewald, Pilots; Conner Kendrick, Bucs; Mark Winkleman, Oilers; Logan Davis, Bucs.

Will not play — Chris Belleque, Pilots; Tyler Linehan, Pilots; Boomer Collins, Bucs.

2011 State Farm

Home Run Derby

Patrick Wisdom, Oilers; Troy Channing, Oilers; Zach Zirksey, Oilers; Tanner Rust, Oilers; Cael Brockmeyer, Pilots; Aaron Judge, Pilots; Jomell Torres, Pilots; Clay Cederquist, Pilots; Chris Talley, Fire; Marshall McDonald, Fire; Davis Morgan, Bucs; Ryan Palermo, Bucs; Adam Martin, Miners; Stephen Branca, Miners.