Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Lopez, Miller lead Pioneer All-Stars

Player, Pitcher of the Year among five Owlz on 15-man squad
August 29, 2008
Orem's Roberto Lopez is having a season for the ages in the Pioneer League.

The eight-team circuit recognized his brilliant campaign Friday when it released its Postseason All-Star Team.

Lopez was named Most Valuable Player as well as All-Star designated hitter, while teammate Jayson Miller took home Pitcher of the Year honor.

Lopez and Miller lead a league-best group of five Owlz on the 14-man All-Star squad. They are joined by third baseman Luis Jimenez, outfielder Angel Castillo and pitcher William Smith in representing the team with the league's best record.

The 22-year-old Lopez paces the circuit with a .397 average as he has spent the past few weeks flirting with the .400 mark. He already has set a franchise record with 64 RBIs in 62 games to go with 13 homers, 25 doubles, a .481 on-base percentage and .651 slugging percentage.

Miller (8-2, 2.11 ERA) is locked in a three-way tie with Smith (8-2, 3.22) and Ogden's Michael Watt for the league lead in wins. The 22-year-old southpaw also tops the circuit in ERA.

Jimenez is batting .319 with 15 homers and 61 RBIs, while Castillo is hitting .285 with 13 homers and 45 RBIs.

Casper, Helena and Great Falls each have two All-Star selections.

Catcher Wilin Rosario (.335, 12 HRs, 45 RBIs) and pitcher Dan Houston (6-3, 3.90 ERA and one complete game) represent the Ghosts.

Brewers first baseman Brock Kjeldgaard (.287, 14, 59) and outfielder Erik Komatsu (.336, 11, 45) made the squad along with Voyagers shortstop Tyler Kuhn (.363, 3, 41) and pitcher Dexter Carter (6-1, 2.40).

The rest of the team includes Missoula second baseman Jacob Elmore (.295, 3, 20), Raptors outfielder Kyle Russell (.295, 11, 45) and starters Bryan Casey (3-4, 2.85) of Idaho Falls and Leonardo Astorga (4-1, 2.50) of Billings.

Julio Garcia was named Manager of the Year after leading Billings to the first-half North Division title.

John Torenli is a contributor to MLB.com.