Cecchini, Owens, Swihart named Carolina League All-Stars

The Salem Red Sox announced that third baseman Garin Cecchini (pictured) and catcher Blake Swihart have been named starters for the Carolina League All-Star team. In addition to the two standout infielders, pitcher Henry Owens will also be travelling to San Jose for the Carolina League-California League All-Star game on June 18. 

Cecchini, 22, has been an offensive force for Salem, hitting .346/.461/.553 with five home runs and 31 RBI. In addition to leading the league in batting average, Cecchini also leads the Carolina league in on-base percentage, OPS, and is tied for the league lead in walks. The native of Lake Charles, La., has received numerous accolades this year, including two Carolina League Player of the Week awards, as well as Red Sox Offensive Player and Base Stealer of the Month for April.

Swihart, 21, is having a solid season at the plate, hitting .289/.374/.450 with one home run and 19 RBI. Salem's backstop is leading the league in triples with five, and has hit .410/.500/.513 in 39 at-bats with runners in scoring position. Swihart has been effective behind the plate in stopping opposing base runners, throwing out 35-percent of attempted base stealers.

Owens, 20, is currently 4-2 with a 3.21 ERA in 11 starts. The left-hander has struck out 68 in 56 innings, good for second in the Carolina League in strikeouts. The 2011 supplemental first-round pick has been especially tough at LewisGale field, going 2-1 with a 1.67 ERA in five starts at home.

Photo credit: Garin Cecchini by Kelly O'Connor.

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