Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens slugging third baseman Mike Hessman and closer Blaine Neal have been selected to the 23-man U.S. Olympic Team that will compete in the Summer Games in Beijing, China.
Hessman, who has appeared in the last two International League All-Star Games, ranks third in all of the minors with 30 homers.
Neal leads the International League with 24 saves.
The U.S. Team is comprised of 14 Triple-A players, seven from Double-A, one from Single-A and one from the collegiate level. Any player not on an active 25-man major league roster at the time of selection was eligible.
Three Eastern League players are on the U.S. roster – Akron Aeros outfielder Matt LaPorta and Reading Phillies shortstop Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson.
Opening ceremonies are on Aug. 8. Team USA plays Korea on Aug. 13 in an opening-round game. The medal rounds begin Aug. 23, a day before the closing ceremonies.
Team USA did not qualify for the Olympics in 2004.