Gray to start Triple-A All-Star Game

OAKLAND -- The A's organization will be well represented at this year's Triple-A All-Star Game, as it was revealed on Tuesday that three players from the Sacramento River Cats have been invited to the July 17 affair at Aces Ballpark in Reno, Nev.

Right-hander Sonny Gray, Oakland's 2011 first-round Draft pick and No. 5 prospect, will be the starting pitcher for the Pacific Coast League, and fellow first-rounders Michael Choice (No. 2 prospect/No. 96 overall) and Grant Green (No. 3) will join him on the roster.

This marks the second straight season a Sacramento pitcher has been selected to start the game, with righty Graham Godfrey, now in the Pirates' organization, having taken the hill last year.

Gray, 23 and in his first full season at Triple-A, currently ranks fourth in the PCL with a 3.02 ERA. Through 15 starts, he's 7-5 with 98 strikeouts and just 32 walks in 95 1/3 innings. Gray is considered to be the next logical choice to join the A's rotation should a spot become available.

"We all knew he was a talented guy, being a first-round pick, we felt like he would be a quick mover, and it's played out that way," manager Bob Melvin said. "Now, whether or not he starts here anytime soon, I can't tell you that, but he's certainly put himself in a position to."

Choice, also in his first season with Sacramento, entered the day hitting .286 with 11 home runs and 53 RBIs to go along with a .385 on-base percentage through 77 games.

Green, who was just named the PCL Player of the Weeks, also has 11 home runs. Overall, he's batting .320 with 23 doubles and three triples.