Kelton named to AA all-star team
Published 12:00 am Thursday, June 14, 2001
Diamond Jaxx, closer Scott Chiasson, right-fielder Gary Johnson, third baseman David Kelton, and left-handed starter Steve Smyth have been selected to represent the Diamond Jaxx in this year’s Southern League all-star game, Wednesday June 20 at Smokies Park in Sevierville.
The players were selected based on a vote by Southern League field managers, radio broadcasters and print media.
The all-star game is hosted by the Tennessee Smokies, the league affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, who are sending a Western Division-high six players to the game.
The Eastern Division squad will be announced at a later date.
Kelton, 21, the son of former Troy State football player Billy Wayne Kelton and Ann Teal, a graduate of Charles Henderson,
currently leads the league in runs batted in, with 45, and is tied for third with 12 home runs.
The 1998 second-round pick from Troup County (GA) High School leads the Diamond Jaxx with 22 multi-hit games.
He had four straight 6/2-6.
Kelton enjoyed his first trip to Smokies Park in May, going 9-17 with three home runs and eight runs batted in.
Before ever playing in a regular season game for the Diamond Jaxx, he beat major league slugger Sammy Sosa in a home run contest March 31 at Pringles Park.
Kelton previously an Arizona Rookie League all-star in 1998 and a Midwest League all-star (mid-season) in 1999.
He is listed by Baseball America magazine as the seventh-best prospect in the Cubs’ organization.