Friday, Jul. 03, 2009

Metro-east's Thole, Dinkelman make Class AA All-Star game

Thumb injury may force Thole to skip contest

Josh Thole was selected Wednesday to the Triple-A Eastern League All-Star Game, but a thumb injury may prevent the former Mater Dei star from playing in it.

Thole, a catcher for the Class AA Binghamton Mets, was one of 24 players named to the Eastern League's Northern Division All-Star team. Thole is second in the league with a .346 batting average and leads Binghamton in hits with 89.

Thole, who is being groomed as the catcher of the future for the New York Mets, has been one of the few bright spots for Binghamton, which is in last place in the Northern Division with a 29-48 record.

"It's definitely a great honor," Thole said. "It's been a good season for me, but unfortunately, we're not winning many games. But it's definitely a big honor to be a part of that. There's a lot of guys having really good seasons in this league that don't get picked.

"It's something you don't shoot for, but if you're putting the numbers up, things like this take care of itself."

Thole wasn't the only Southwestern Illinois product selected to the Eastern League All-Star Game. Former Centralia High School and McKendree University standout Brian Dinkelman also was named to the Northern Division team.

The Eastern League All-Star game will be played on July 15 at Waterfront Park in Trenton, N.J. However, Thole may be sitting the game out.

On Tuesday, Thole was placed on the seven-day disabled list when he dislocated his thumb in the third inning of a 3-2 loss to New Hampshire. Thole said pitcher Eric Niesen threw a fastball that popped the middle joint out of place in his catching hand.

"Luckily, there was a doctor in the dugout and he popped it right back into place," Thole said. "He was able to pop it back into place, and all the X-rays came back negative."

Thole said he doesn't know if he'll be cleared to play in the All-Star game.

"Even if I'm healthy by then, I'm not sure the Mets are going to let me play," Thole said. "The doctor in New York said a minimum of one to two weeks. I think I should be ready by then, but you never know."

Thole wasn't the only Southwestern Illinois product selected to the Eastern League All-Star Game. Former Centralia High School and McKendree University standout Brian Dinkelman also was named to the Northern Division team.

Dinkelman, an infielder/outfielder with the New Britain Rock Cats (Minnesota Twins), is 13th in the Eastern League with a .300 average to go along with 19 doubles, four home runs and 39 RBIs.

"I played against him twice and he's crushing the ball," Thole said. "He's a tough out in their lineup. That'll be neat having another local guy there at the game."