Brown, Rivero named IL All-Stars
Brown has been one of the International League's best all-around hitters. A mid-season All-Star as well, the 26-year-old Brown is near the top of the IL in triples (2nd), runs scored (2nd), total bases (2nd), slugging (3rd), extra-base hits (4th), and home runs (5th). In addition, Brown has 17 stolen bases in 24 attempts.
Rivero is not only the League's top defensive third baseman (.952 fielding percentage), but he is also one of the circuit's top hitters this season. The 24-year-old is currently 5th in the IL with a .307 batting average and is tied for 3rd with 135 hits, both highs for his Chiefs ballclub. Also a mid-season All-Star, Rivero is the first Syracuse third baseman to earn election to the IL Postseason All-Star team since Kelly Gruber in 1985.
Prior to this year, the last Syracuse player to earn a spot on the IL's post-season All-Star team was OF John-Ford Griffin in 2005, while SS Cesar Izturis and and RP Matt DeWitt in 2001 were the last Chiefs teammates to be elected in the same year.
The complete IL Postseason All-Star team is as follows:
First Baseman | Ernesto Mejia, Gwinnett Braves | |
Second Baseman | Cord Phelps, Columbus Clippers | |
Shortstop | Jose Iglesias, Pawtucket Red Sox | |
Third Baseman | Carlos Rivero, Syracuse Chiefs | |
Catcher | Ryan Lavarnway, Pawtucket Red Sox | |
Outfielders | Leslie Anderson, Durham Bulls | |
Corey Brown, Syracuse Chiefs | ||
Starling Marte, Indianapolis Indians | ||
Designated Hitter | Mauro Gomez, Pawtucket Red Sox | |
Utility Player | Dan Johnson, Charlotte Knights | |
Starting Pitcher | Tyler Cloyd, Lehigh Valley IronPigs | |
Relief Pitcher | Tim Wood, Indianapolis Indians |
The League also announced that Pawtucket's Mauro Gomez has been named the IL's Most Valuable Player thanks to a .310 average and 24 home runs for the Wild Card contenders.
Right-handed hurler Tyler Cloyd of Lehigh Valley claimed the Most Valuable Pitcher Award. He leads the League with a 2.35 ERA to go along with a sparkling 12-1 record.
Gwinnett slugger Ernesto Mejia was named the IL Rookie of the Year, the third member of that franchise to do so in its four years of existence.
The 2012 IL Manager of the Year is Scranton/Wilkes-Barre skipper Dave Miley, who has his club on the brink of a division title despite being forced to play away from home all season.