Hagerstown's Nieto out with ab strain, hopeful for SAL All-Star game

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

June 08, 2012, 9:41am

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Low Single-A Hagerstown Suns catcher Adrian Nieto was elected to the South Atlantic league All-Star Game earlier this week, but he may not be able to play in the game because of an abdominal strain, according to manager Brian Daubach. Nieto, from Havana, Cuba, is hitting .259 through 37 games with eight doubles, four homers and 25 RBIs. He was voted into the June 19 game with teammates Matt Skole, Aaron Barrett and Caleb Ramsey. Daubach will be the bench coach for the All-Star exhibition. "There are a lot of tools with Adrian," Daubach said. "There is a lot of ability. It is about just focusing on each pitch. Being a younger kid too, coming from high school into the draft, he had a tendency to get down on himself. But this year, he has been positive and things are going well." Daubach says Nieto will be fine health-wise and hopes the young backstop will be able to play in the All-Star game in a couple of weeks. "Hopefully he can get healthy and get back for the All-Star Game," Daubach said. "Still, it is a big honor. Things are going in the right direction for Adrian." Catcher Sam Palace was added to the roster Thursday with Nieto on disabled list.