All-star baseball game candidates

There is still a long way to go before the first annual Marshall Gates Foundation/Deseret Morning News all-star baseball game is played at Kearns High on May 27.

That said, I will periodically highlight some players who are emerging as candidates to play in the all-star game. Nothing will be set in stone until we name our 30 selected players in May. This is just a way to recognize a few guys who have played well in the first month of the season.

Coaches, players, fans and parents are welcome to keep us updated with stats and highlights during the season. Don’t hesitate to inform us if you believe there are players who are deserving of participating in the all-star game. Who have you seen that’s looked great so far this year? Got stats? Highlights?

Here are four candidates I’ve noticed:

Gentry Croft, Timpanogos: He’s been untouchable so far. He threw a one-hitter in a 1-0 win over West Jordan, and a two-hitter in a 5-0 win over Mira Mesa, Calif. He threw six shutout innings in a 4-0 victory over Northridge and blanked Mountain View in a 10-0 win in five innings. You can’t ask for a better start from a pitcher than the one coach Kim Nelson has gotten from Croft.

Nate Littlewood, Pine View: He threw a one-hitter in a 17-2 win over Canyon View and beat Springville earlier this season. He’s also had a hot bat, as a well-informed source tells me he’s hit three home runs.

Joe Pond, Judge Memorial: It’s been a busy year for Pond, who quarterbacked Judge to the state championship game in football, and cheered on the Bulldogs’ boys basketball team from the front row during the winter. He’s at his best on the pitching mound for Judge. He has already earned three wins, with his most impressive victory coming against 5A’s Lone Peak.

Derek Amicone, Jordan: Amicone has been impressive at the plate and in the field. He went 3-for-4 with two doubles against LaSalle, Calif. He also made two diving catches in the eighth inning to help Jordan pull out an 11-10 win over Riverton in Las Vegas.