Cavazos-Galvez named Pioneer MVP

Ogden Raptors outfielder Brian Cavazos-Galvez, who ranks among the leaders in eight offensive categories, on Saturday was named Pioneer League MVP.

Casper Ghosts right-hander Chris Balcom-Miller -- a three-time Pitcher of the Week -- was named Pitcher of the Year, while Tom Kotchman of the Orem Owlz was selected Manager of the Year.

Cavazos-Galvez, the Dodgers' 12th-round pick in the 2009 Draft, leads the league with 17 homers, 93 hits, 48 extra-base hits, 28 doubles, 56 runs scored and a .614 slugging percentage. He's second with 61 RBIs, 10th with a .321 batting average and helped the Raptors capture the first-half South Division title.

Balcom-Miller is the league leader with a 1.58 ERA and is 4-0 on a Casper team that is 16 games under .500. The Rockies' sixth-round pick in June ranks fifth with 60 strikeouts and has allowed more than two earned runs only twice in 11 starts.

Kotchman was named the league's top manager a day after guiding the Owlz to the South Division second-half title and their ninth consecutive playoff appearance. He's steered Orem to three of the last five Pioneer League championships.

Cavazos-Galvez is joined on the Pioneer League All-Star squad by three Raptors teammates -- third baseman Brian Ruggiano (.370, seven homers, 33 RBIs), catcher Gorman Erickson (.317, 5, 35) and outfielder Jerry Sands (.350, 14, 39).

The rest of the All-Star infield is Owlz first baseman Dillon Baird (.369, 6, 47), Missoula Osprey second baseman David Nick (.292, 5, 32, 16 stolen bases) and Billings Mustangs shortstop Mariekson Gregorius (.314, 1, 16).

Joining Cavazos-Galvez and Sands in the outfield is Hilton Richardson (.313, 1, 17, 20).

The pitching staff is dominated by members of the Great Fallas Voyagers, with Terry Doyle (5-1, 3.16 ERA), Brandon Kloess (2-0, 2.43, four saves) and Matt Wickswat (2-1, 3.70) joining Balcom-Miller and Helena Brewers right-hander Nicholas Bucci (6-3, 4.41).