Pestano to DL, Carlton Smith Replaces him on Eastern League All-Star Team

AKRON, OH – Aeros reliever Carlton Smith was added to the Eastern League All-Star team today, replacing teammate Vinnie Pestano who went on the disabled list with a right elbow strain. Smith will join first baseman Beau Mills, catcher Carlos Santana, left fielder Nick Weglarz, and pitcher Jeanmar Gomez on the Southern Division squad. The game will be played July 15th at WaterfrontPark in Trenton, New Jersey.

Smith enjoyed a tremendous 2008 campaign with Class A Kinston, finishing 12-6 with a 4.37 ERA and tying for the Carolina League lead in victories. He shifted to a relief role this year and has been superb, going 4-1 with one save and a 2.94 ERA in 21 appearances (including two spot-starts). The native of Piscataway, NJ really got rolling in June, reeling off eight straight scoreless appearances and turning in 18.1 consecutive scoreless innings in the process. He went 2-0 and allowed only eight hits and six walks during that run, striking out 13 and holding opponents to a measly .138 (8-58) batting average against him.


Originally a 21st-round draft choice out of Piscataway High School in 2004, Smith racked up 23 wins between LakeCounty and Kinston the past two seasons. He went 11-6 with a 4.22 ERA for the Captains in 2007, finishing tied for fourth in the Indians Player Development System in wins and 10th in ERA. His dozen victories last year tied him with Kelvin de la Cruz, Josh Judy, and John Dale Martin for the most in the system, and Smith also ranked third with 146.1 innings pitched.

The Aeros are on the road this evening to begin their final series before the All-Star break, taking on the Erie SeaWolves at 7:05 p.m. at Jerry Uht Park. Left-hander Bobby Livingston (7-2, 3.52 ERA) will take the hill for Akron against Erie’s Pat Stanley (3-2, 4.30 ERA). The game broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com.

Posted in: Beau Mills,Carlos Santana,Carlton Smith,Jeanmar Gomez,Nick Weglarz,Vinnie Pestano