DeShields Garners Topp Billing

Second baseman Delino DeShields, Jr., Houston’s 2012 Minor League Player of the Year, has been named to the Topps Class A All-Star Team. DeShields, the eighth overall selection in the 2010 draft, is a strong candidate to open the 2013 season on Corpus Christi’s roster.

The 20-year-old out of Ocala, Fla., hit .287 with 24 doubles, eight triples, 12 home runs, 61 RBIs and 101 stolen bases in 135 games between Lexington and Lancaster last season. DeShields paced the classification in runs scored (113) while ranking second in steals and seventh in walks (83). He established an Astros minor league record for steals in a season and became the first player in the modern era to swipe over 100 bases and hit 10 or more home runs in a minor league campaign.

DeShields, who was promoted to Lancaster in early August, went 6-for-19 (.316) with five runs scored, two doubles, one RBI, three walks and two stolen bases in the California League Championship Series. His MVP performance helped the JetHawks capture their first league title.      

DeShields and former Hook Jon Singleton were named to the Baseball America 2012 Minor League All-Star Team for all classifications.

The Topps squad is comprised of eight position players and a pitcher who are selected from all 30 major league farm systems.