Three Padres named to AZL All-Star squad

The Peoria Padres placed a league-best three players on the Arizona League postseason All-Star Team. Chief among the Padres' triumvirate was outfielder Cedric Hunter, who was named the league's Most Valuable Player.

Hunter ranked among the league's top three in average (.371), RBIs (44), hits (79), doubles (13), on-base percentage (.467) and runs scored (46). The 18-year-old, who was selected in the third round of this year's amateur player draft, hit a scorching .422 in the month of August.

Hunter is joined on the squad by two teammates -- second baseman Rayner Contreras and fellow outfielder Luis Durango. Contreras led the league with 52 RBIs, while Durango's .378 batting average was the best among all Rookie-level teams.

Ever Magallanes of the Tempe Angels guided his squad to a combined record of 34-21 and was named Manager of the Year for his effort. Two of Mangallanes' charges were also named to the All-Star team: third baseman Matt Sweeney and right-handedr Vladimir Veras, who led the league in wins (eight) and ERA (1.35).

Rounding out the infield were first baseman Gerardo Avila of the Peoria Mariners and shortstop Sharlon Schoop of the Scottsdale Giants. Blake Parker of the Mesa Cubs got the nod behind the plate, while extra-base-hits leader John Alonso was named the All-Star designated hitter.

Joining Hunter and Durango in the outfield is Carlos Peguero of the Peoria Mariners, whose .649 slugging percentage is tops in the AZL.

The Arizona Royals' Brent Fisher, who fanned 98 batters in just 68 1/3 innings pitched, is the team's left-handed starter. The pitching staff also included right-handed reliever David Newton of the Scottsdale Giants and left-handed reliever Taylor Parker of the Mesa Cubs.