Panik named Northwest League MVP

Giants first-round pick Joe Panik was voted Northwest League MVP on Tuesday as the short-season circuit revealed its postseason All-Stars.

Panik, selected 29th overall out of St. John's University, is hitting .335 with six homers and a league-leading 52 RBIs in 66 games for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. He also has 13 bases and is batting .346 with runners in scoring position.

The Hopewell Junction, N.Y., native is the second Giants prospect to earn MVP honors on the day -- Jose Cuevas was named Arizona League MVP after leading the Rookie-level circuit with nine homers and 46 RBIs.

Panik, a 20-year-old shortstop, is joined on the All-Star infield by Boise Hawks first baseman Paul Hoilman (.248, 15 homers, 41 RBIs) and catcher Rafael Lopez (.307, 5, 33) and Vancouver Canadians second baseman Jon Berti (.301, 1, 21, 22 stolen bases). Jimmy Comerota (.319, 1, 34, 11) of the Yakima Bears and Travis Whitmore (.299, 1, 29) of the Eugene Emeralds both made the team at third base.

A pair of Volcanoes, Brett Krill (.315, 6, 43) and Jesus Galindo (.274, 2, 18, 42), flank Jabari Blash (.291, 10, 41) of the Everett AquaSox in the outfield. Another Salem-Keizer slugger, Mike Murray (.338, 6, 48), made the squad as the designated hitter.

Tri-City Dust Devils teammates Christian Bergman (7-5, 2.69 ERA) and Ken Roberts (3-2, 1.98, 10 saves) are among five All-Star pitchers. The rest are Vancouver teammates Justin Nicolino (5-1, 1.03) and Drew Permison (1-1, 1.74, 14) and Everett's Jose Campos (5-4, 2.12).

Freddie Ocasio was voted Manager of the Year after guiding the Dust Devils to the first-half Eastern Division title.

Most Valuable Player: Joe Panik, Salem-Keizer
Manager of the Year: Freddie Ocasio, Tri-City

2011 Northwest League All-Star Team
Position Players
POS	PLAYER	TEAM	AFFILIATE
C	Rafael Lopez	Boise	Chicago (NL)
1B	Paul Hoilman	Boise	Chicago (NL)
2B	Jon Berti	Vancouver	Toronto
3B	Jimmy Comerota	Yakima	Arizona
3B	Travis Whitmore	Eugene	San Diego
SS	Joe Panik*	Salem-Keizer	San Francisco
OF	Brett Krill	Salem-Keizer	San Francisco
OF	Jesus Galindo	Salem-Keizer	San Francisco
OF	Jabari Blash	Everett	Seattle
DH	Mike Murray*	Salem-Keizer	San Francisco
Starting Pitchers
POS	PLAYER	TEAM	AFFILIATE
RHP	Christian Bergman	Tri-City	Colorado
RHP	Jose Campos	Everett	Seattle
LHP	Justin Nicolino	Vancouver	Toronto
Relief Pitchers
POS	PLAYER	TEAM	AFFILIATE
RHP	Drew Permison	Vancouver	Toronto
LHP	Kenneth Roberts	Tri-City	Colorado

* Unanimous selection