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.

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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.