Two Braves to Start Triple-A All-Star Game

Former Bradley teammates Jason Leblebijian and Mike Tauchman will face off against one another July 11 in Columbus, OH

Triple A All-Star Game Starters Story Graphic

Bobby Parker, Associate AD for Communications Baseball 6/28/2018 3:01:00 PM

Of the six former Bradley Baseball players to begin this season in affiliated professional baseball, four have been selected to their respective league All-Star Games. The latest additions to that list are third baseman Jason Leblebijian (International League) and outfielder Mike Tauchman (Pacific Coast League), who have been named starters for the 2018 Huntington Bank Triple-A All-Star Game presented by Gildan July 11 in Columbus, OH.

The Triple-A All-Star Game festivities will be hosted by the Columbus Clippers at Huntington Park, beginning with the July 9 Home Run Derby & Skills Competition, presented by Orange Crush. The Huntington Bank Triple-A All-Star presented by Gildan follows two nights later (6:00 p.m. CT) and will be broadcast live on MLB Network.

In his second year with the Toronto Blue Jays affiliate Buffalo Bisons, Leblebijian is the repeat winner of the International League all-star fan vote for third baseman and will make his second straight start in the Triple-A All-Star Game next month. Through Wednesday's action, the former Bradley shortstop is batting .250 in 62 games for the Bisons. He is tied for sixth in the IL with 10 home runs and tied for 12th with 35 RBI's. In addition to his back-to-back selections for the Triple-A All-Star Game, Leblebijian also was a 2016 all-star in the Class A Advanced Florida State League.

The 2013 NCAA Division I batting champion, Tauchman has earned his fourth all-star selection in his six professional baseball seasons. He was a mid-season all-star in 2013 for the Class A Short Season Northwest League and he earned postseason all-star honors in 2015 (Double-A Eastern League) and 2017 (Triple-A Pacific Coast League). While also enjoying two stints with the Colorado Rockies totaling 21 games this season, Tauchman has played in 53 games for the Albuquerque Isotopes, where he is batting .355 with 12 home runs and 44 RBI's. Entering Thursday's action, Tauchman was the second-leading hitter in the Pacific Coast League and also ranked second with a .626 slugging percentage and 1.039 OPS.

Tauchman banged out three hits in each of the last two games, including a 3-for-5 showing Tuesday that began with a first-inning, 3-run home run off San Francisco Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija, who was making a rehab start for the Sacramento River Cats.

Leblebijian and Tauchman join former Bradley pitchers Elliot Ashbeck (Class A Advanced California League) and Cameron Roegner (Class A Advanced Carolina League) as 2018 Minor League Baseball all-star game selections. Roegner was the starting pitcher for the South Division in last week's Carolina League showcase.

Two more Braves joined the pro ranks following this month's MLB First-Year Player Draft and both are positioning themselves for early bids at their respective Class A Short Season all-star games. Selected in the 16th round by the Rockies, RHP Boby Johnson (1-0) has made three relief appearances for the Boise Hawks and has yet to allow a base runner in his 4.0 innings. The 2018 All-Star Game between the Northwest and Pioneer Leagues will be Aug. 7 in Grand Junction, CO.

Taken in the 25th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates, 1B Luke Mangieri is batting .257 in nine games for the West Virginia Black Bears with two doubles, a home run and five RBI's. The New York-Penn League All-Star Game will be hosted by State College Aug. 14.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#17 Luke Mangieri: IF; 6' 3"; Junior; L/R

#22 Boby Johnson: RHP; 6' 1"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#17 Luke Mangieri
: 6' 3"; Junior; L/R
: IF

#22 Boby Johnson
: 6' 1"; Junior; R/R
: RHP

Two Braves to Start Triple-A All-Star Game

Former Bradley teammates Jason Leblebijian and Mike Tauchman will face off against one another July 11 in Columbus, OH

Players Mentioned

#17 Luke Mangieri

#22 Boby Johnson

Players Mentioned

#17 Luke Mangieri

#22 Boby Johnson