Brandon Moss, who graduated from Loganville High School in 2002, was selected as the starting outfielder for the 2007 International League All-Star Team on July 11 in Albuquerque, N.M.

Moss is currently an outfielder for the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. He was 18 years old when he was drafted in the eighth round of the 2002 draft by the Boston Red Sox.

Entering Saturday, Moss was batting .300 (87-for-290) with a team-high 13 home runs and 56 RBIs in 78 games. He also had 40 runs scored, 28 doubles and 42 walks. Moss was leading the team in OPS (on-base plus slugging) with a .930 clip, as well.

This season marks his first year at the Triple-A level.

Several other local standouts - Lafyette Brown, Billy Buckner and Deunte Heath - are also continuing to make a name for themselves in the minor leagues.

Brown, an Eastside High School graduate, is continuing to make a name for himself as an outfielder for the Macon Music.

Entering Saturday, Brown was hitting .243 (17-for-70) with eight RBIs and 11 runs scored in 32 games played. He also had nine stolen bases and a 1.000 fielding percentage.

The Music is 25-12 so far this season - second in the South Coast League Division.

Brown officially signed with the Music on December 19, 2006.

Buckner, a graduate of Salem High School, is from Conyers and played two years at Young Harris College, earning NJCAA All-District and NJCAA All-American honors. He also played baseball for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, and was selected in the ninth round of the 2003 free agent draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Buckner is currently a pitcher for the Triple-A Omaha Royals. Entering Friday, Buckner had a team-best 7-2 record with a 3.86 earned run average in 17 games. He also had a team-high 51 strikeouts with 15 walks in 53 and two-thirds innings pitched.

Heath, a product of Newton High School, was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 19th round of the 2006 amateur entry draft.

Heath is currently pitching for the Rome Braves. Entering Friday, Heath had a record of 2-3 with a team-best 2.12 earned run average in 15 games played. He also had 43 strikeouts in 68 innings pitched.

The Covington News will continue to track the progress of these players and others as the season progresses.