Omaha Royals infielder Jason Smith is among six of Triple-A Baseball’s top sluggers who are set to compete in the 2008 Papa John’s All-Star Home Run Derby.
Smith, previously selected to the Pacific Coast League All-Star team, was named today as one of the participants in the derby, which is set for July 14 at Louisville Slugger Field in Louisville, Kentucky.
Smith, who leads the Royals with 18 home runs, is one of three PCL All-Stars invited to take part in the home run derby. The others are Albuquerque third baseman Dallas McPherson, who leads all of Minor League Baseball with 31 roundtrippers, and Salt Lake infielder Matt Brown, who like Smith has dialed long distance 18 times this year.
Reigning International League MVP and home run champion Mike Hessman of Toledo is one of three IL sluggers invited to the derby. Hessman is second in Minor League Baseball, and first in the IL, with 28 home runs. He will be joined by a pair of Pawtucket Red Sox outfielders in Jeff Bailey (23 homers) and Jonathan Van Every (22 dingers).