August 9, 2011 at 3:43 PM
Johnson, De La Cruz, Schwindenhammer, Cecchini selected to NYPL All-Star team
Johnson, signed out of the independent Frontier League in 2010, has impressed with his speed and energy in his first season with the organization. A switch-hitter and listed at just 5-foot-7, the 23-year-old is batting .330 with 15 steals and just 1 caught stealing in 31 games with Lowell. He has also shown great on-base ability this season with a .427 OBP, though is lacking in power with no home runs and just 7 extra base hits.
De La Cruz, 19, has impressed with his all-around game as the Spinners' every day center fielder. The 2009 Red Sox Latin Program Player of the year is batting .299 this season with 4 home runs and 15 stolen bases.
In his second go-around with the Spinners, Schwindehammer has been able to translate some of the raw power that made him a fifth round pick in the 2009 Draft into game action. He leads the team and is second in the NYPL with 9 homers this season, which is also already a club record for a left-handed batter. Though he leads the team and the league with 79 strikeouts, he has also earned 13 walks, fifth-most on the team.
Cecchini, currently the 15th ranked prospect on SoxProspects, got off to a great start to his professional career with Lowell before suffering a non-displaced fracture of the wrist, likely ending his season. Boston's fourth round selction in the 2010 Draft, Cecchini was batting .298 with 12 steals and 16 extra base hits, including 3 long balls. He seemed to be finding a groove at the plate prior to the injury on July 23, earning NYPL Player of the Week honors just before taking a pitch off the wrist.
For those wanting to attend the event in Lowell at LeLacheur Park, gates will open at 3:30 and feature autograph signings by both the American League and National League Teams followed by a skills competition, the game, and post-game fireworks. A limited number of tickets to the game are still available by visiting www.LowellSpinners.com or calling the Box Office at (978) 459-1702.