Speed a Theme to Topps Class A 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. Speed proved to be a big theme to this year’s Class A All Stars, as evidenced by the inclusion of two of the top base stealing threats in the minor leagues in Billy Hamilton and Delino Deshields Jr. on the roster. The roster was also highlighted by four former 1st Round picks and a pair of prospects from the Miami Marlins.
Your 2012 Topps Class A All Stars are:
Billy Hamilton caught all of the baseball world’s attention with his speed this past season, even landing on Topps’ Class A All Star team. (Image Credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE)
C.J. Cron, first base, Los Angeles Angels – Batted .293/.327/.516 over 557 plate appearances. Led all Class A hitters with 123 RBI and 271 total bases.
Delino Deshields Jr., second base, Houston Astros – Batted .287/.389/.428 over 637 plate appearances. Ranked second with 101 stolen bases.
Billy Hamilton, shortstop, Cincinnati Reds – Batted .323/.413/.439 over 392 plate appearances. Stole 104 of his MiLB record-setting 155 bases in Class A before a promotion to Double-A.
Matt Skole, third base, Washington Nationals – Batted .286/.438/.574 over 448 plate appearances. Led all Class A hitters with 94 walks.
John Hicks, catcher, Seattle Mariners – Batted .312/.351/.472 over 538 plate appearances. Threw out 54% of attempted base stealers, leading all Class A catchers.
Kevin Pillar, outfield, Toronto Blue Jays – Batted .323/.374/.439 over 553 plate appearances.
Gregory Polanco, outfield, Pittsburgh Pirates – Batted .325/.388/.522 over 485 plate appearances.
Christian Yelich, outfield, Miami Marlins – Batted .330/.404/.519 over 447 plate appearances.
Jose Fernandez, pitcher, Miami Marlins – 14-1, 1.75 ERA, 134.0 innings of work (25 starts). Finished second in Class A in wins, third in batting average against (.191), and fifth in strikeouts (158).