The Chattanooga Lookouts' Ibandel Isabel fouls off a pitch during a game against the Mississippi Braves on April 19 at AT&T Field.
Chattanooga Lookouts shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez throws to first base during the team's season opener against the Montgomery Biscuits on April 4 at AT&T Field.Chattanooga's solid start to the 2019 Southern League season was reflected Friday afternoon in the Lookouts' solid representation for the league's all-star game in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Five Lookouts - first baseman Ibandel Isabel, shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez, outfielder Taylor Trammell, starting pitcher Tejay Antone and reliever Joel Kuhnel - were picked to suit up for the North Division in the Class AA showcase, which will be held June 18. Montgomery paced all North Division teams with seven selections, while Jackson had six.
Montgomery entered Friday night's action leading the North with a 35-23 record, with Jackson 34-26 and Chattanooga 32-26 next in line.
"They got it right with those five, but I would love to have another guy or two on there," Lookouts manager Pat Kelly said. "Those five guys are all having outstanding years, and they are well-deserving.
"I would like Tyler Stephenson to be on there. I think Tyler Stephenson is the best catcher in our division."
The Southern League all-star rosters are determined by a vote of the league's managers, general managers and radio broadcasters. The rosters are subject to change due to player promotions, trades and injuries.
Isabel entered Friday night with just a .220 batting average but the league lead in home runs with 14. He also ranked second with 38 RBIs.
Joel Kuhnel
Chattanooga Lookouts pitcher Tejay Antone was sharp through eight innings in Monday's 3-1 win over the Mobile BayBears at AT&T Field. Antone carried a no-hitter into the seventh and earned his seventh victory of the season.aRodriguez took a .298 average, tied for seventh in the league, into Friday's series opener at Tennessee. He also entered with 15 multihit games and at least one hit in 14 of his last 15 contests.
Trammell, the No. 1 pick of the Cincinnati Reds in 2016 out of Kennesaw, Georgia, hit .292 in April but entered Friday batting .238. He leads the league with 38 walks, and his 13 steals rank among the top five.
"It's interesting, because we emphasize that batting average is evil," Kelly said. "Taylor leads our organization in hard contact, and his exit velocity is in the top three. We're very pleased with his hitting, even though it's not reflected in his batting average right now.
"He's being very selective. He's not swinging at bad pitches, which is what you want your young hitters to do."
Antone has a 7-3 record and a 2.83 earned run average through his first 11 starts, with his seven wins tying for the league lead. He has taken two no-hit bids past the sixth inning.
Kuhnel entered Friday having compiled a 2-2 record and a 2.64 ERA in 22 appearances and having earned nine saves, which ranked second in the league.
The North Division's starting lineup for the all-star game will be announced Wednesday.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.
Chattanooga Lookouts left fielder Taylor Trammell smiles in the dugout before the team's season opener against the Montgomery Biscuits on April 4 at AT&T Field.