For now, the Carolina Mudcats right fielder is content to be close to home.

"I haven't really been out of North Carolina," Raynor said.

Raynor, who grew up in Benson, never thought he'd be playing in Five County Stadium -- he watched games there in his youth.

He'll also play there Monday as a starter in the Southern League All-Star Game.

Raynor, in his first year at the Double-A level, is having an All-Star season as the leadoff man.

He was batting .308 and led the league in stolen bases with 31, going into Friday night's game.

Not bad for a guy whose coaches see room for improvement.

"The things he needs to work on are not highly skilled things," said Mudcats coach Matt Raleigh, who pointed to defense, bunting and baserunning as the three areas Raynor could improve.

He had a fine season last year with the high Single-A Greensboro Grasshoppers, hitting .333 and stealing 54 bases. Still, Raynor said he had trouble adjusting to the next level.

"I got away from some things in my approach that made things a little bit more tough for me in my adjustment," Raynor said. "I think I'm getting back into what I'm capable of doing. Pitching here is much different. They can throw everything for strikes."

Raynor said he adjusted where he was standing in the batter's box.

"I was too far back," he said.

His hitting statistics weren't bad in April (.288), May (.290) and June (.291).

But so far in July, he's been on a tear, hitting .444.

"You always think you could do better," he said. "I got off to an average start. I feel like I adjusted."

Raleigh said Raynor hasn't bunted for a hit this year, though he's the team's leadoff hitter.

"In college I bunted all of the time," said Raynor, who attended UNC-Wilmington after graduating from South Johnston High. "I just got away from it. It's something that I've got to use as a weapon."

Raleigh said Raynor needs to get better reads on pitches when stealing bases.

"He's just got a couple of small things that are very [attainable] to do," Raleigh said. "I think he's had a great year, and he's been a big part of our success this year. He's put himself in a position to further his career, without a doubt."

Raynor did not make Baseball America's most recent Top 10 Prospects list for the Florida Marlins, but he was listed as the fastest baserunner in their farm system.

He was selected by the Marlins in the ninth round of the 2006 draft.

Raynor said he feels good about the Marlins' investment in him.

"They've taken very good care of me," he said. "I've got a lot of looks and a lot of positive feedback from them. I'm fortunate that they want to push me."

Raynor said he is tickled to be playing professional baseball.

"It's a great feeling," he said. "I know that just tweaking a few things here and there and refining a few of my skills, and I could be a force to be reckoned with."

In the meantime, he's looking forward to the All-Star Game and grateful that it's close to home.

"It's an honor," he said. "I'm particularly proud of this one because I've struggled, I feel like.

"It couldn't have worked out better. A lot of people back home are going to be able to see it. It gives me a good feeling that I've got all this support from all those people back home."