Gallo, Zunino Highlight Topps Short Season All Stars
By Aaron Somers
Each fall an all star roster of the top players from each level of the minor leagues is named, something done in conjunction between Minor League Baseball and the Topps Company for the past few years, with the final rosters being announced this past week. The Short Season/Rookie League All Stars were highlighted by four players chosen in the 1st Round of this past June’s MLB Draft, including third baseman Joey Gallo and catcher Mike Zunino, along with a pair of Chicago Cubs prospects.
Your 2012 Topps Short Season/Rookie All Stars are:
Mike Zunino had a busy summer – going from the College World Series to Short Season All Star despite spending only 29 games in the league before earning a promotion. (Image Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE)
Dan Vogelbach, first base, Chicago Cubs – Batted .322/.410/.641 over 283 plate appearances. Vogelbach led all Short Season players with 62 RBI and tied for the lead with 41 extra base hits (21 doubles, 17 HR).
Gioskar Amaya, second base, Chicago Cubs – Batted .298/.381/.496 over 317 plate appearances. Amaya tied for the league lead with 12 triples and his 61 runs were good enough for fourth in the league.
Dorssys Paulino, shortstop, Cleveland Indians – Batted .333/.380/.558 over 250 plate appearances.
Joey Gallo, third base, Texas Rangers – Batted .272/.412/.660 over 260 plate appearances. Gallo led all Short Season players with 22 HR and a .660 slugging percentage.
Mike Zunino, catcher, Seattle Mariners – Batted .373/.474/.736 over 133 plate appearances. Promoted to Double-A after just 29 games.
Andrew Aplin, outfield, Houston Astros – Batted .348/.441/.537 over 196 plate appearances.
David Dahl, outfield, Colorado Rockies – Batted .379/.423/.625 over 306 plate appearances. Dahl led all Short Season players with his .379 batting average and 106 hits. He also tied for the lead with 41 extra base hits.
Jesse Winker, outfield, Cincinnati Reds – Batted .338/.443/.500 over 275 plate appearances.
Taylor Cole, pitcher, Toronto Blue Jays – 6-0, 0.81 ERA, 66.1 innings (12 games, 11 starts). Cole held the lowest ERA among all Short Season starters at 0.81, while ranking second in WHIP (0.80) and batting average against (.161)