Five members of the first half Champion Lake Elsinore Storm are going to the California League/Carolina League All Star Game on June 22. The amazing success of the Storm during the first half of the season brought a lot of recognition to the team so far this year. But sending five players to the game is a huge accomplishment for the Cal League South leaders. Needless to say, all five have had tremendous seasons so far and 4 of the 5 are members of last years Champion Tin Caps.

SS/2B Drew Cumberland: 5-10  175    DOB: 1/13/89   Bats  L  Throws  R

Drafted in 2007 in the supplemental 1^st round, Drew was a member of the Tin Caps last year. Batting lead off for the Storm this season he has 227 AB with 61 runs, 11 doubles 4 triples, 7 home runs, 32 RBI and 13 BB. He has struck out 30 times and has stolen 19 bases with 8 caught stealing. This has resulted in .374/.411/.551 averages for the season so far, which ranks first on the team and third in the league.

SS/2B  Cole Figueroa:  5-10  180     DOB: 6/30/87   Bats  L   Throws  R

Drafted in the 6^th round of the 2008 draft, Figueroa is the only holdover Storm player from last year to be named to the All Star Team. He primarily plays 2B, and bats second, but occasionally plays SS while Drew Cumberland practices his 2B skills. With 244 at bats, he leads the 5 players named with the most playing time for the Storm. His .340/.438/.447 line includes 16 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HR, 43 RBI, 39 BB, 23 SO and 13 SB. He is currently the owner of a 43 game on base streak achieved by either getting a hit or walk in games played.  His RBI total is second only to 3B Vince Belnome, who also is one of the Storm cleanup hitters.

CF  Blake Tekotte:  5-11  175   DOB: 5/24/87     Bats   L   Throws   R

Drafted in the 3^rd round of the 2008 draft, Tekotte has the distinction of having the most HR of any of the Storm OF. With 8 only 1B/DH Cody Decker bests him.  He serves as the clean up hitter at times but also hits farther down in the order as well. He is also tied with Cumberland for most stolen bases (19) on the team. With the line of .310/.412/.516 he also has 15 doubles  and 30 BB.

LF/OF  Daniel Robertson:   5-8   175    DOB: 9/30/85   Bats  R   Throws  R

Drafted in the 33^rd round of the 2008 draft, Robertson plays primarily LF for the Storm but also has played in RF. In 242 at bats he has distinguished himself with his determined resilience despite his size and underappreciated skills. He also has accumulated 8 doubles, 7 triples, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 24 BB and 15 SB. He has the flexibility to bat in numerous different positions in the order but most often 6^th. He has been as high as the 3^rd or at the bottom and been successful in all of them.

RHRP  Brad Brach:  6-4    210       DOB: 4/12/86      Bats  R  Throws  R

Drafted in the 42^nd round of the 2008 draft, Brach is the closer for the Storm. In 30 games and 31 IP Brad has allowed 25 hits and 9 runs (8 ER), giving up 3 HR, 4 BB and amassing 35 strikeouts. With a 3-1 record, 24 saves and a .216 average against he leads the league for closers and has been dominating, as his stats verify. His success last year with the Tin Caps got him named to the mid and post season All Star games in 2009.  He throws a low 90’s FB with good command, a slider, splitter and change up. All are well controlled and thrown for strikes. He is equally effective vs. righties and lefties because of his splitter. Brad was made a closer soon after being drafted and has been dominating ever since.