Peoria's Mercado among Midwest All-Stars

Oscar Mercado's speed on the bases this spring has ensured the shortstop will be in a familiar place on the infield when the rest of the Midwest League's best talents roll into Peoria later this month.

Chiefs fans will get to cheer for the hometown favorite after the Cardinals' No. 25 prospect was voted a starter in this year's Midwest League All-Star Game on Thursday. The 20-year-old, who ranks second in the Midwest League with 22 stolen bases, will highlight the Western Division All-Stars on June 23 when Peoria hosts the 51st MWL All-Star Classic at Dozer Park.

Peoria pitchers Daniel Poncedeleon, Austin Gomber and Luis Perdomo will also join Mercado on the roster along with manager Joe Kruzel and the Chiefs' entire field staff. The All-Stars were nominated and selected by league field managers earlier this season.

Other notable All-Stars in this year's game include West Michigan outfielder Michaell Gerber, a Tigers prospect who leads the league in hitting with a .369 average, and Bowling Green's Jace Conrad, who was voted the starting second baseman after leading the league with nine home runs. Both will start for the Eastern Division All-Stars alongside first baseman Rowdy Tellez, who leads the league with 41 RBIs with Lansing.

The Western squad will feature Cedar Rapids' first baseman Trey Vavra, who ranks second in the league with a .346 average, and Beloit designated hitter Sandber Pimentel, who is tied with Conrad for the league lead in homers.

The full rosters and coaching staffs are below: