Arizona League tabs season's standouts

Anthony Norman was named the Arizona League's Most Valuable Player and highlights the rookie circuit's postseason All-Star team, which was announced Tuesday.

The 22-year-old outfielder, one of three Angels prospects on the All-Star roster, is closing in on the AZL batting title with a .362 average in 44 games. Left-hander Mike Anton is 5-3 with a 3.21 ERA and leads the league with 82 strikeouts, while second baseman Ivan Contreras has displayed a stellar all-around game, hitting .306 with a homer, 30 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.

The Mariners led with four representatives, including Manager of the Year Jose Moreno. The season's first-half champs boast a league-best 3.44 ERA and had two hurlers tabbed as All-Stars. Robbie Dominguez has been effective as both a starter and reliever, going 3-1 with a 2.01 ERA, while Travis Mortimer paces the AZL with 10 saves. They are joined by outfielder Daniel Carroll, who is batting .325 with 38 runs scored and 27 stolen bases.

The Royals had three players selected: designated hitter David Wood, outfielder Vinny Pennell and right-handed reliever Eric Van Slyke. Wood is third in the league with 39 RBIs and fifth with a .324 batting average. Pennell has batted .286 with 20 runs scored, while Van Slyke has been nearly unhittable, recording an 0.84 ERA and eight saves.

Giants prospect Nick Noonan, the 32nd overall pick in June's First-Year Player Draft, is batting .312 in 51 games. The 18-year-old shortstop is third in the league with 37 RBIs and tied for fifth with 18 stolen bases. Teammate Andrew D'Alessio, who was picked in the 19th round, got the nod at first base and leads the circuit with 14 homers and 50 RBIs.

Third baseman Edgar Trejo (.281, one homer, 27 RBIs) was the only Brewers prospect picked, while Carlos Perez will represent the Cubs at catcher (.343, two homers, 30 RBIs).