Birmingham Hosts Southern League All-Star Game Tonight

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Some of baseball's brightest prospects will be on hand at Birmingham's Regions Field tonight as Birmingham plays host to the Southern League All-Star Game.

The festivities begin at 5 p.m.with the Southern League Home Run Derby. Birmingham Barons catcher Zack Collins will represent the home team in the competition. The White Sox No. 9 prospect according to MLB.com currently has nine home runs on the season to rank ninth in the Southern League and third on the Barons.

The Home Run Derby will pit the three sluggers from each division getting seven outs while against each other with each division competing against itself in the first round. The top hitter from each division will meet in the finals, with the winner taking home the crown of Home Run Derby Champion. The final round will either have five or 10 outs per hitter, depending on time.

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Joining Collins in representing the North Division are Jackson Generals sluggers Rudy Flores and Jamie Westbrook. Currently tied for second in the Southern League with 11 home runs, Westbrook will partake in the derby during his first career All-Star appearance. Flores is just behind his teammate with 10 home runs over the season's first half.

Representing the South Division will be Mississippi Braves infielder Tyler Marlette, Pensacola Blue Wahoos outfielder Aristides Aquino, and Biloxi Shuckers outfielder Jake Gatewood.

Leading the Southern League with 13 home runs, Gatewood is ranked as the No. 17 prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers' organization. Aquino ranks as the Cincinnati Reds No. 12 prospect and has eight home runs so far. Representing the M-Braves, Marlette has six home runs in his first season in the Atlanta organization.

Starting around 6:30 p.m., all players from both teams will be introduced and will line-up on their respective baselines. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin will throw out a first pitch.

Prior to the 7:05 p.m. game, award-winning, Grammy-nominated singer Jamey Johnson will perform the National Anthem. At the end of the National Anthem, F16 fighter jets from the 187th Fight Wing out of Montgomery will fly over Regions Field.

The Barons will recognize former Negro League players from several clubs including the Birmingham Black Barons, Kansas City Monarchs, Indianapolis Clowns, and more during the game.

The complete All-Star rosters for the game can be seen here.

Photo by Michael Seale/Patch

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