Season 59 All-Star Review

Members of the Yount League frequently discuss the legitimacy of all-star recognition, despite the existence of an official all-star game at the major league level. The Brewers led the way with six selections, with a quartet of teams with five selections each. For the fourth consecutive year, eleven teams had no players selected, as there are no mandatory selections.

MAJOR LEAGUE ALL-STARS

In the minor leagues, all levels, with the exception of Rookie, conduct an all-star game. Although the Rookie level is recognized, it does not engage in an actual game. The Minor League All-Stars were led by an astounding 31 selections from the Orioles and the rebuilding Red Sox, with 28 selections. The Reds were shut out in the minor league all-stars.

MINOR LEAGUE ALL-STARS

HOME RUN DERBY

Fraser Powers Past the Field to Win Yount League Home Run Derby

The Yount League Home Run Derby was a showcase of raw power, and Dion Fraser of the Cincinnati Reds stole the show with a record-setting performance that left fans in awe.

Round One: Fraser Sets the Bar Sky-High

Fraser came out swinging, blasting 16 home runs in the opening round, including a jaw-dropping 530-foot shot, the longest of the night. His barrage of 500-foot bombs made it clear he was the man to beat. Harry Quentin (Colorado Rockies) advanced with 7 homers, while Fernando Martinez (San Francisco Giants) and Aaron Rollins (Arizona Diamondbacks) survived the cut with 6 and 5, respectively. Big names like Ronald Swann (Boston Red Sox), Clayton Crespo (Milwaukee Brewers), Robert Hayes (Washington Nationals), and Elroy Osbourne (Arizona Diamondbacks) fell short despite some impressive swings.

Semifinals: Fraser Keeps Firing

The semifinals saw Fraser add 8 more homers, highlighted by another 533-foot blast. Quentin (3 HR) and Rollins (3 HR) couldn’t keep pace, while Martinez (4 HR) fought hard but fell just short. Fraser’s combined total left no doubt—he was heading to the finals as the heavy favorite.

Final Round: A Champion’s Finish

Facing Quentin in the championship round, Fraser delivered again, crushing 11 home runs, including a 520-foot rocket and several 440+ foot bombs. Quentin put up 6 homers, including a 453-foot shot, but the night belonged to Fraser.

Final Results

• Champion: Dion Fraser (Cincinnati Reds) – 11 HR in Finals (35 total)

• Runner-Up: Harry Quentin (Colorado Rockies) – 6 HR in Finals

• Longest HR: Fraser, 530 feet

Fraser’s combination of distance and consistency made this one of the most dominant Home Run Derby performances in Yount League history.

ALL-STAR GAME

Yount League All-Star Game Recap

Crespo’s Walk-Off Blast Lifts AL in 12-Inning Classic

The Yount League All-Star Game delivered an unforgettable finish as Clayton Crespo (Milwaukee Brewers) crushed a two-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the 12th to give the AL All-Stars a 3–2 victory over the NL in a marathon showdown.

Pitchers Dominate Early

Both squads leaned on strong pitching through the first five innings. Johnny Mayer (Arizona Diamondbacks) sparked the NL in the 1st with a single and stolen base, but the AL defense held firm. The AL’s first big chance came in the 4th when Carl Leslie (Washington Nationals) ripped a ground-rule double and Nigel Mullin (Milwaukee Brewers) walked, but Marcos Oliva (Washington Nationals) grounded into a 3-6-3 double play to end the threat.

AL Breaks Through

The AL struck first in the 6th. Felix Waters (Boston Red Sox) lined a double to left-center, and Nefi Burgos (Boston Red Sox) followed with a single. After a shallow flyout, Leslie hit into a fielder’s choice that scored Waters, giving the AL a 1–0 lead.

NL Ties It Late

The NL answered in the 9th, taking advantage of defensive miscues. Harry Quentin (Colorado Rockies) reached on an error, advanced on a wild pickoff throw, and scored on Aaron Rollins’ (Arizona Diamondbacks) grounder to tie the game 1–1 and force extras.

Extra-Inning Drama

Both bullpens traded zeros until the 12th. With two outs in the bottom half, Artie O’Day (Montreal Expos) singled to keep the AL alive. That set the stage for Crespo, who launched a towering drive to right that barely cleared the wall for a walk-off two-run homer, sending the AL dugout into a frenzy.

Final Score

• AL All-Stars: 3 runs, 8 hits, 3 errors

• NL All-Stars: 2 runs, 8 hits, 0 errors

Key Performers

• Clayton Crespo (MIL): Walk-off 2-run HR

• Felix Waters (BOS): Double, run scored

• Johnny Mayer (ARI): 1-for-3, BB, SB

FUTURES GAME

Yount League Futures Game Recap

Final Score:US Futures Team 6, World Futures Team 3

Top 1:

The US Futures struck first. After two quick outs, Clarence Harris (2B, Cleveland Guardians Triple-A) singled to center. Jimmie Archer (C, Texas Rangers Triple-A) and Tim Fuller (DH, Seattle Mariners Triple-A) drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Morrie Bennett (1B, Kansas City Royals Double-A) came through with a 2-RBI single to left-center, plating Harris and Archer. US Futures 2, World Futures 0

Bottom 1:

The World Futures answered when Gerardo Hollands (1B, Anaheim Angels High-A) crushed a solo homer to center. Yohan Martinez (C, Milwaukee Brewers Low-A) and Luis Calixte (LF, San Diego Padres Double-A) added singles, but the rally fizzled. US Futures 2, World Futures 1

Top 3:

The US extended its lead. After a walk and a single, Bennett delivered again with an RBI single. An error by Ron McMurtry (SS, Baltimore Orioles High-A) allowed another run to score. US Futures 4, World Futures 1

Top 6:

Insurance runs came via clutch hitting. Ken Luebke (LF, Pittsburgh Pirates Triple-A) singled and scored on a double by Flash Aldridge (SS, Louisville Colonels Triple-A). Then Phillip Quinn (2B, Philadelphia Phillies Triple-A) blooped an RBI single to make it 6-1. US Futures 6, World Futures 1

Bottom 6 & 9:

World Futures showed late life. Martinez launched a solo shot in the 6th, and Vic Candelario (3B, San Francisco Giants Triple-A) added a homer in the 9th. But the comeback fell short. Final: US Futures 6, World Futures 3

Key Performers

• Morrie Bennett (US): 2-for-3, 3 RBI

• Clarence Harris (US): 2 hits, 2 runs

• Gerardo Hollands (World): HR, 1 RBI

• Yohan Martinez (World): HR, 2 hits