Batista, Blasik selected to 2012 Appalachian League All Star Team

GREENEVILLE, TN - Greeneville Astros Jean Batista and Brian Blasik have been selected to the 2012 Appalachian League All Star Team, the league announced on Thursday. The team features players from eight of the ten teams in the league with the Burlington Royals leading the way with three selections.

With Batista and Blasik both being selected, the Greeneville Astros have two All Stars for the fourth time in nine seasons and for the first time since 2010. Batista, who was promoted to the Class A Tri-City ValleyCats on August 15, was named the league's All Star shortstop while Blasik was chosen as the All Star utility infielder.

Both Batista and Blasik have been among the league's best hitters throughout the 2012 season. Batista is currently fourth (.321) in the league in batting average and Blasik is right behind him in fifth (.318). Batista is also fourth in the league in hits (63), second in doubles (19), third in extra-base hits (27) and second in slugging percentage (.531). Meanwhile, Blasik is fifth in RBI (39), tied for the most sacrifice flies (5) and has the second best TPA/SO ratio (9.73) in the league.

The following is the rest of the All-Star team as well as the league award winners:

Appalachian League 2012 All Star Team

C: Tyler Marlette - Pulaski
1B: Jeremy Schaffer - Johnson City
2B: Eric Grabe - Bristol
3B: Patrick Leonard - Burlington
SS: Jean Batista - Greeneville
U-INF: Brian Blasik - Greeneville
DH: Mark Threlkeld - Burlington
U-OF: Bubba Starling - Burlington
OF: Dario Pizzano - Pulaski
OF: Candido Pimentel - Elizabethton
OF: Max Kepler - Elizabethton
RHP: Jeremy Gabryszwski - Bluefield
LHP: Blake Snell - Princeton
RELIEF PITCHER: Ronald Shaban - Johnson City

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Candido Pimentel - Elizabethton
PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Blake Snell - Princeton
MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Tommy Shields - Burlington
TRAINER OF THE YEAR: Ryan Hedwall - Elizabethton
(As announced by Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society)