BA Minor League All-Stars: A Retrospective

By Matt Eddy
October 5, 2012

The Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year award dates back to 1981, when Dodgers first baseman Mike Marshall hit .373 with 34 homers for Triple-A Albuquerque. Not until 13 years later, however, did BA introduce its Minor League All-Star Team to recognize the top prospect performers at each position in the minors. Remarkably, two players from that inaugural 1994 team—Derek Jeter and LaTroy Hawkins—are still active in 2012, nearly 20 years later.

For whatever reason, just a handful of Minor League All-Star Teams have been published online—the 2012 team, the 2011 team and the 2006 team—so this presents an opportunity not only to publish those teams online for the first time, but also a chance to provide historical perspective. So here you'll find all 19 of the BA all-star teams, from 1994 through 2012. A few notes about the following:

Minor League Player of the Year award winners are offset with [POY] in brackets.

Runs created (RC) estimates the number of runs a player contributed through batting and basestealing, though the totals here are not adjusted for league or home-park context. Therefore, one may choose to adjust downward for players who spent significant time in hitter-friendly environments such as the California or Pacific Coast leagues.

You can think of runs created on the same scale as RBIs or runs scored—100 is an excellent season, especially for an up-the-middle player. For frame of reference, the median runs created value for BA Minor League All-Star Team first basemen and designated hitters is about 95 RC; for second basemen, third basemen and outfielders it's about 90 RC; for center fielders it's about 85 RC; and for catchers and shortstops it's about 75 RC.

All statistics, save for runs created, courtesy of the incomparable Baseball-Reference.com.

Minor League All-Star Team Catchers

Baseball may never see a run of catching prospects like it did from 2002 through 2009. Six of the eight minor league all-stars in that period made at least one major league all-star team: Brian McCann (six times), Joe Mauer (five), Victor Martinez (four), Matt Wieters (two, and counting), Buster Posey (one, and counting) and Geovany Soto (one). Mauer, of course, won the 2009 AL MVP award, while Soto (2008) and Posey (2010) won NL rookie of the year honors.

CATCHER
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
2012	Gary Sanchez	Yankees	19	LoA-HiA	474	18	.290	.344	.485	57
2011	Ryan Lavarnway	Red Sox	23	AAA-AA	503	32	.290	.376	.563	71
2010	Wil Myers	Royals	19	LoA-HiA	541	14	.315	.429	.506	86
2009	Buster Posey	Giants	22	HiA-AAA	497	18	.325	.416	.531	83
2008	Matt Wieters [POY]	Orioles	22	HiA-AA	530	27	.355	.454	.600	102
2007	Geovany Soto	Cubs	24	AAA	449	26	.353	.424	.652	85
2006	Chris Iannetta	Rockies	23	AA-AAA	365	14	.336	.433	.564	64
2005	Jarrod Saltalamacchia	Braves	20	HiA	529	19	.314	.394	.519	77
2004	Brian McCann	Braves	20	HiA	421	16	.278	.337	.494	54
2003	Joe Mauer [POY]	Twins	20	AA-HiA	571	5	.338	.398	.434	81
2002	Victor Martinez	Indians	23	AA	515	22	.336	.417	.576	92
2001	Toby Hall	Rays	25	AAA	408	19	.335	.385	.568	69
2000	J.R. House	Pirates	20	LoA	478	23	.348	.414	.586	85
1999	Ben Petrick	Rockies	22	AAA-AA	415	23	.311	.400	.603	73
1998	Michael Barrett	Expos	21	AA	488	19	.320	.358	.525	71
1997	A.J. Hinch	Athletics	23	HiA-AAA	542	24	.328	.420	.568	93
1996	Mike Sweeney	Royals	22	AA-AAA	384	17	.301	.376	.539	61
1995	Todd Greene	Angels	24	AA-AAA	531	40	.300	.345	.601	83
1994	Charles Johnson	Marlins	22	AA	523	28	.264	.371	.524	70

Minor League All-Star Team First Basemen

The Royals justifiably harbor high hopes of a rebound by Eric Hosmer following a poor sophomore season, and few would be surprised if he and the Astros' Jonathan Singleton make a few all-star teams before they're done. However, with few exceptions the minor league all-star first basemen have underwhelmed in the big leagues. Those exceptions would be Ryan Howard, the 2005 NL rookie of the year and 2006 NL MVP who smacked 300 homers in his first nine seasons; Joey Votto, the 2010 NL MVP who's closing in on his third consecutive NL on-base percentage title; and Prince Fielder, the four-time all-star and last man to hit 50 homers in the NL.

FIRST BASE
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
2012	Jonathan Singleton	Astros	20	AA	555	21	.284	.396	.497	78
2011	Paul Goldschmidt	D-backs	23	AA	457	30	.306	.435	.626	85
2010	Eric Hosmer	Royals	20	HiA-AA	586	20	.338	.406	.571	101
2009	Chris Carter	Athletics	22	AA-AAA	651	28	.329	.422	.570	110
2008	Logan Morrison	Marlins	20	HiA	555	13	.332	.402	.494	85
2007	Steve Pearce	Pirates	24	AA-AAA-HiA	551	31	.333	.394	.622	102
2006	Joey Votto	Reds	22	AA	590	22	.319	.408	.547	95
2005	Justin Huber	Royals	22	AA-AAA	527	23	.326	.417	.560	87
2004	Ryan Howard	Phillies	24	AA-AAA	560	46	.291	.380	.637	89
2003	Prince Fielder	Brewers	19	LoA	594	27	.313	.409	.526	96
2002	Lyle Overbay	D-backs	25	AAA	579	19	.343	.396	.528	93
2001	Lyle Overbay	D-backs	24	AA	612	13	.352	.423	.528	104
2000	Jason Hart	Athletics	22	AA-AAA	647	31	.324	.400	.580	107
1999	Steve Cox	Rays	24	AAA	612	25	.341	.415	.588	111
1998	Calvin Pickering	Orioles	21	AA	599	31	.309	.434	.566	96
1997	Travis Lee	D-backs	22	AAA-HiA	540	32	.331	.431	.631	102
1996	Derrek Lee	Padres	20	AA	575	34	.280	.360	.570	78
1995	Richie Sexson	Indians	20	HiA	554	22	.306	.368	.508	75
1994	Jason Thompson	Padres	23	HiA-AA	544	21	.314	.401	.543	81

Minor League All-Star Team Second Basemen

Ray Durham (two), Orlando Hudson (two), Howard Kendrick (one), Ronnie Belliard (one) and Jose Altuve (one) made major league all-star teams—and Chris Coghlan won the 2009 NL rookie of the year award—but few perennial stars have developed from the group of minor league all-stars. Notably, Brian Raabe made the 1996 and 1997 minor league all-star teams, yet he wound up playing more games in Japan's Pacific League (37) in 1998 than he did in the U.S. majors in parts of three seasons (17). Raabe built his big years with Salt Lake and Tacoma of the Pacific Coast League.

SECOND BASE
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
2012	Delino DeShields Jr.	Astros	19	LoA-HiA	637	12	.287	.389	.428	90
2011	Jose Altuve	Astros	21	HiA-AA	391	10	.389	.426	.591	76
2010	Jason Kipnis	Indians	23	AA-HiA	592	16	.307	.386	.492	81
2009	Scott Sizemore	Tigers	24	AAA-AA	599	17	.308	.389	.500	89
2008	Chris Coghlan	Marlins	23	AA	565	7	.298	.396	.429	80
2007	Matt Antonelli	Padres	22	HiA-AA	629	21	.307	.404	.491	99
2006	Howard Kendrick	Angels	22	AAA	312	13	.369	.408	.631	63
2005	Howard Kendrick	Angels	21	HiA-AA	508	19	.367	.406	.614	98
2004	Chris Burke	Astros	24	AAA	560	16	.315	.396	.507	88
2003	Josh Barfield	Padres	20	HiA	615	16	.337	.389	.530	95
2002	Scott Hairston	D-backs	22	LoA-HiA	554	22	.345	.429	.603	101
2001	Orlando Hudson	Blue Jays	23	AA-AAA	573	8	.306	.382	.470	81
2000	Keith Ginter	Astros	24	AA	569	26	.333	.457	.580	103
1999	Adam Kennedy	Cardinals	23	AAA	405	10	.327	.378	.490	64
1998	Ronnie Belliard	Brewers	23	AAA	589	14	.321	.408	.503	92
1997	Brian Raabe	Mariners	29	AAA	607	14	.352	.404	.508	104
1996	Brian Raabe	Twins	28	AAA	539	18	.351	.410	.560	99
1995	Adam Riggs	Dodgers	22	HiA	622	24	.362	.431	.585	118
1994	Ray Durham	White Sox	22	AAA	592	16	.296	.363	.495	85

Minor League All-Star Team Third Basemen

Eric Chavez won six consecutive AL Gold Glove awards at third base, from 2001 to 2006, yet he never made an all-star team despite playing on playoff-bound Athletics teams in five of those seasons. Though he shifted to first base early in his big league career, Paul Konerko is the most decorated of the minor league all-star third basemen, having made six all-star teams and blasted 420-plus home runs. Mark Teixeira (two all-star teams) followed the Konerko route to first base, though he's made just two all-star teams. Hank Blalock (two) and Joe Crede (one) seem like the most random all-stars, while Evan Longoria has a slight chance to surpass all. He won the 2008 AL rookie of the year award and made the all-star team in his first three seasons.

The Athletics' Adam Piatt tallied the highest runs created total (125) among minor league all-stars, hitting .345/.451/.704 with 39 homers, 48 doubles, 93 walks and 135 RBIs for Double-A Midland in 1999. He received a trial in Oakland every season from 2000 to 2003 but hit a pedestrian .252/.327/.419 as a corner outfielder and washed out of the majors. We know now that Piatt appears prominently in the Mitchell Report as an admitted PED user and supplier to other players.

THIRD BASE
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
2012	Mike Olt	Rangers	23	AA	421	28	.288	.398	.579	64
2011	Brett Lawrie	Blue Jays	21	AAA-HiA	340	18	.347	.414	.647	68
2010	Mike Moustakas	Royals	21	AA-AAA	534	36	.322	.369	.630	92
2009	Pedro Alvarez	Pirates	22	HiA-AA	542	27	.288	.378	.535	76
2008	Mat Gamel	Brewers	22	AA-AAA	595	20	.325	.392	.531	91
2007	Evan Longoria	Rays	21	AA-AAA	575	26	.299	.402	.520	88
2006	Alex Gordon [POY]	Royals	22	AA	576	29	.325	.427	.588	106
2005	Andy LaRoche	Dodgers	21	HiA-AA	535	30	.305	.374	.553	81
2004	Ian Stewart	Rockies	19	LoA	581	30	.319	.398	.594	100
2003	Dallas McPherson	Angels	22	HiA-AA	461	23	.310	.410	.596	78
2002	Mark Teixeira	Rangers	22	AA-HiA	375	19	.318	.413	.592	67
2001	Hank Blalock	Rangers	20	AA-HiA	583	18	.352	.424	.550	104
2000	Joe Crede	White Sox	22	AA	610	21	.306	.384	.490	82
1999	Adam Piatt	Athletics	23	AA-AAA	609	39	.340	.450	.688	125
1998	Eric Chavez [POY]	Athletics	20	AA-AAA	593	33	.327	.388	.603	102
1997	Paul Konerko [POY]	Dodgers	21	AAA	560	37	.323	.407	.621	103
1996	Todd Walker	Twins	23	AAA	625	28	.339	.400	.599	108
1995	Butch Huskey	Mets	23	AAA	442	28	.284	.355	.548	62
1994	Ron Coomer	Dodgers	27	AAA	570	22	.338	.367	.548	93

Minor League All-Star Team Shortstops

Three of the first four minor league all-star shortstops developed into all-time major league greats; the fourth was Neifi Perez. Inaugural all-star shortstop Derek Jeter won the 1996 AL rookie of the year award, has made 13 all-star teams, has played on seven Yankees pennant winners and has a real shot at 3,500 career hits. Alex Rodriguez won the 2003, 2005 and 2007 AL MVP awards, has made 15 all-star teams and, in all probability, will retire with more than 650 homers and 3,000 hits. Miguel Tejada won the 2002 AL MVP award and made six all-star teams. Rafael Furcal (1999 minor league all-star) and Jose Reyes (2002) rose to the top of the heap in the post Jeter-Rodriguez-Tejada-Nomar Garciaparra era, but they could not match the heights—or consistency—of the big four.

SHORTSTOP
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
2012	Jurickson Profar	Rangers	19	AA	562	14	.281	.368	.452	74
2011	Jurickson Profar	Rangers	18	LoA	516	12	.286	.390	.493	76
2010	Nick Franklin	Mariners	19	LoA-AA	578	23	.283	.354	.486	75
2009	Alcides Escobar	Brewers	22	AAA	487	4	.298	.353	.409	57
2008	Alcides Escobar	Brewers	21	AA	597	8	.328	.363	.434	80
2007	Jed Lowrie	Red Sox	23	AA-AAA	585	13	.298	.393	.503	85
2006	Reid Brignac	Rays	20	HiA-AA	576	24	.321	.376	.539	89
2005	Brandon Wood	Angels	20	HiA-AAA	614	43	.321	.381	.667	109
2004	B.J. Upton	Rays	19	AAA-AA	433	14	.315	.410	.505	64
2003	Bobby Crosby	Athletics	23	AAA	543	22	.308	.395	.544	83
2002	Jose Reyes	Mets	19	HiA-AA	622	8	.288	.343	.444	79
2001	Angel Berroa	Royals	21	AA-HiA	580	14	.304	.377	.495	79
2000	Jose Ortiz	Athletics	23	AAA	571	24	.351	.408	.575	101
1999	Rafael Furcal	Braves	21	LoA-HiA	586	1	.322	.392	.389	80
1998	Pablo Ozuna	Cardinals	23	LoA	592	9	.357	.400	.494	99
1997	Miguel Tejada	Athletics	23	AA	568	22	.275	.344	.458	67
1996	Neifi Perez	Rockies	23	AAA	607	7	.316	.337	.444	76
1995	Alex Rodriguez	Mariners	19	AAA	237	15	.360	.411	.654	46
1994	Derek Jeter [POY]	Yankees	20	HiA-AAA-AA	617	5	.344	.410	.463	101

Minor League All-Star Team Center Fielders

Andruw Jones is one of two players to win back-to-back BA Minor League Player of the Year awards, in 1995 and 1996, and those accolades seem appropriate in light of his major league production. He stands head and shoulders above the field of good-but-not-great minor league all-star center fielders. Of course, Mike Trout looks like he could change that given his historic play as a 20-year-old Angels rookie in 2012.

CENTER FIELD*
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
2012	Adam Eaton	D-backs	23	AAA-AA	613	7	.375	.456	.523	116
2011	Mike Trout [POY]	Angels	19	AA	412	11	.326	.414	.544	72
2010	Mike Trout	Angels	18	LoA-HiA	600	10	.341	.428	.490	104
2009	Desmond Jennings	Rays	22	AA-AAA	577	11	.318	.401	.487	97
2008	Giancarlo Stanton	Marlins	18	LoA	540	39	.293	.381	.611	84
2007	Colby Rasmus	Cardinals	20	AA	556	29	.275	.381	.551	87
2006	Jay Bruce	Reds	19	LoA	498	16	.291	.355	.516	65
2005	Chris Young	White Sox	21	AA	553	26	.277	.377	.545	81
2004	Jason Kubel*	Twins	22	AAA-AA	549	22	.352	.414	.590	106
2003	Alex Rios	Blue Jays	22	AA	563	11	.352	.402	.521	89
2002	Rocco Baldelli [POY]	Rays	20	HiA-AAA-AA	520	19	.331	.370	.521	77
2001	Marlon Byrd	Phillies	23	AA	582	28	.316	.386	.555	99
2000	Chad Mottola*	Blue Jays	28	AAA	552	33	.309	.359	.566	84
1999	Corey Patterson	Cubs	19	LoA	509	20	.320	.358	.592	86
1998	Alex Escobar	Mets	19	LoA	483	27	.310	.393	.584	82
1997	Juan Encarnacion*	Tigers	21	AA	561	26	.323	.394	.560	96
1996	Andruw Jones [POY]	Braves	19	HiA-AA-AAA	511	34	.339	.421	.652	101
1995	Andruw Jones [POY]	Braves	18	LoA	632	25	.277	.372	.512	91
1994	Ruben Rivera	Yankees	20	LoA-HiA	600	33	.281	.357	.541	82

* Prior to 2008, no explicit attempt was made to select a regular center fielder for the all-star team outfield. However, we can retroactively shift one outfielder from each all-star team to the center-field designation, and this works for all but three cases. The most-qualified candidates for the 1997 team (Juan Encarnacion, six games in center), the 2000 team (Chad Mottola, 13 games) and the 2004 team (Jason Kubel, one game) could not be considered center fielders by any meaningful definition.   

Minor League All-Star Team Outfielders

Johnny Damon had the misfortune of being a direct prospect contemporary of Andruw Jones, meaning he lost out on a chance to make the all-star team as a center fielder in 1995. Through the years, a handful of other pure center fielders cracked the corner-heavy all-star teams, including Mike Cameron (one major league all-star team) in 1996, Vernon Wells (three) in 1999, both Franklin Gutierrez and Jeremy Reed in 2003 and Gary Brown in 2011.

Members of the old guard like Vladimir Guerrero (nine all-star teams, 2004 AL MVP award) and Lance Berkman (six all-star teams) rank as two of the most productive corner bats of their generation. Heavy hitters Adam Dunn, Carlos Quentin and Hunter Pence have made two major league all-star teams each, while up-and-comers like Jay Bruce, Jason Heyward and Justin Upton probably still have their best years ahead of them.

Ben Grieve? He'll always have 1998, when he batted .288/.386/.458 with 18 homers to win the AL rookie of the year award and represent the Athletics in the All-Star Game.

OUTFIELD
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
2012	Wil Myers [POY]	Royals	21	AAA-AA	591	37	.314	.387	.600	97
2012	Oscar Taveras	Cardinals	20	AA	531	23	.321	.380	.572	88
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
2011	Gary Brown	Giants	22	HiA	638	14	.336	.407	.519	109
2011	Tim Wheeler	Rockies	23	AA	637	33	.287	.365	.535	89
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
2010	Domonic Brown	Phillies	22	AA-AAA	389	20	.327	.391	.589	66
2010	Jerry Sands	Dodgers	22	AA-LoA	590	35	.301	.395	.586	96
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
2009	Jaff Decker	Padres	19	LoA	455	16	.299	.442	.514	72
2009	Jason Heyward [POY]	Braves	19	HiA-AA-AAA	422	17	.323	.408	.555	76
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
2008	Jason Heyward	Braves	18	LoA-HiA	533	11	.316	.381	.473	79
2008	Matt LaPorta	Indians	23	AA	433	22	.279	.386	.539	64
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
2007	Jay Bruce [POY]	Reds	20	HiA-AAA-AA	576	26	.319	.375	.587	90
2007	Justin Upton	D-backs	19	AA-HiA	456	18	.319	.410	.551	74
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
2006	Adam Lind	Blue Jays	22	AA-AAA	515	24	.330	.394	.556	83
2006	Hunter Pence	Astros	23	AA	592	28	.283	.357	.533	84
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
2005	Jeremy Hermida	Marlins	21	AA	507	18	.293	.457	.518	87
2005	Delmon Young [POY]	Rays	19	AA-AAA	604	26	.315	.354	.527	87
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
2004	Carlos Quentin	D-backs	21	HiA-AA	543	21	.332	.435	.549	95
2004	Delmon Young	Rays	18	LoA	578	25	.322	.388	.538	90
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
2003	Franklin Gutierrez	Dodgers	20	HiA-AA	549	24	.287	.350	.524	71
2003	Jeremy Reed	White	22	AA-HiA	555	11	.373	.453	.537	105
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
2002	Robb Quinlan	Angels	25	AAA	588	20	.333	.376	.555	94
2002	Michael Restovich	Twins	23	AAA	580	29	.286	.353	.542	76
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
2001	Adam Dunn	Reds	21	AAA-AA	422	32	.334	.444	.671	87
2001	Jason Lane	Astros	24	AA	610	38	.316	.407	.608	112
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
2000	Kevin Mench	Rangers	22	HiA	583	27	.334	.427	.615	113
2000	Juan Silvestre	Mariners	24	HiA	580	30	.304	.381	.524	86
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
1999	Chin-Feng Chen	Dodgers	21	HiA	597	31	.316	.404	.580	103
1999	Vernon Wells	Blue Jays	20	HiA-AAA-AA	556	18	.334	.390	.522	92
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
1998	Lance Berkman	Astros	22	AA-AAA	590	30	.302	.422	.566	97
1998	Gabe Kapler	Tigers	22	AA	629	28	.322	.393	.583	108
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
1997	Ben Grieve	Athletics	21	AA-AAA	589	31	.350	.461	.640	120
1997	Mike Stoner	D-backs	24	HiA	618	33	.358	.392	.628	113
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
1996	Mike Cameron	White Sox	23	AA	563	28	.300	.402	.600	96
1996	Vladimir Guerrero	Expos	21	AA-HiA	564	24	.360	.431	.618	113
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
1995	Johnny Damon	Royals	21	AA	503	16	.343	.434	.534	93
1995	Karim Garcia	Dodgers	19	AAA	519	20	.319	.369	.542	77
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
1994	Harry Berrios	Orioles	22	HiA-LoA-AA	573	19	.342	.429	.519	103
1994	Brian Hunter	Astros	23	AAA	577	10	.372	.432	.520	108

Minor League All-Star Team Designated Hitters

All sorts of players have earned minor league all-star status as the ninth man, the DH. The list includes top prospects like Billy Butler (2005), Travis Snider (2007), Carlos Santana (2009), Brandon Belt (2010) and Billy Hamilton (2012), but just as often features a minor league veteran enjoying a monster season, such as Bryan LaHair (2011), Graham Koonce (2003), Jose Fernandez (2001), Alex Cabrera (2000) or Chris Hatcher (1998). All players were 26 or older at the time they made the all-star team, and—not coincidentally—they all spent time in the Pacific Coast League during their all-star seasons.

DESIGNATED HITTER
YEAR	PLAYER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	RC
2012	Billy Hamilton	Reds	21	HiA-AA	605	2	.311	.410	.420	95
2011	Bryan LaHair	Cubs	28	AAA	523	38	.331	.405	.664	95
2010	Brandon Belt	Giants	22	HiA-AA-AAA	595	23	.352	.455	.620	122
2009	Carlos Santana	Indians	23	AA	535	23	.290	.413	.530	84
2008	Kila Ka'aihue	Royals	24	AA-AAA	515	37	.314	.456	.628	105
2007	Travis Snider	Blue Jays	19	LoA	517	16	.313	.377	.525	69
2006	Kevin Kouzmanoff	Indians	24	AA-AAA	391	22	.379	.437	.656	83
2005	Billy Butler	Royals	19	HiA-AA	549	30	.340	.404	.611	97
2004	Dallas McPherson	Angels	23	AA-AAA	586	40	.317	.387	.670	102
2003	Graham Koonce	Athletics	28	AAA	601	34	.277	.403	.542	92
2002	Brad Hawpe	Rockies	23	HiA	535	22	.347	.447	.587	100
2001	Jose Fernandez	Twins	26	AAA	522	30	.338	.421	.624	97
2000	Alex Cabrera	D-backs	28	AA-AAA	324	39	.355	.423	.862	77
1999	Jack Cust	D-backs	20	HiA	556	32	.334	.450	.651	105
1998	Chris Hatcher	Royals	29	AAA	516	46	.309	.345	.645	83
1997	Kevin Millar	Marlins	25	AA	594	32	.342	.423	.605	115
1996	D.T. Cromer	Athletics	25	HiA	550	30	.329	.373	.626	101
1995	Jesse Ibarra	Giants	22	LoA-HiA	529	34	.330	.433	.635	100
1994	Billy Ashley	Dodgers	23	AAA	453	37	.345	.428	.701	88

Minor League All-Star Team Starting Pitchers

Three of the four pitchers selected as Minor League Players of the Year since 1994 failed to establish themselves as stars in the big leagues, though despite not meeting lofty expectations, Rick Ankiel, Jon Rauch and Jeff Francis have enjoyed lengthy careers. Three-time major league all-star Josh Beckett is the one exception as the POY made good, while a fifth pitching POY, 2011 AL rookie of the year Jeremy Hellickson, still is building his case. This hit-or-miss track record suggests that drawing firm conclusions based on minor league pitching performances can be a dicey proposition.

Let's instead focus on trends among the all-stars over the past 19 seasons, particularly in terms of pitcher workload. The Cardinals' Alan Benes logged 206 innings in 1994, the high-water mark, and that season's all-star foursome averaged 185 innings as a group. The 2012 rotation averaged 133 innings as a group. Today's all-star pitchers face about five fewer batters per game (22.8), on average, than the 1994 group did (27.2). That example even removes the Orioles' Dylan Bundy and his hyper-controlled workload (17.3 batters faced per game) from the 2012 sample because it skews the results. The top prospect pitchers have been hovering near 22-23 batters per game—about two and a half times through the batting order—since 2004.

STARTING PITCHER
YEAR	PITCHER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
2012	Dylan Bundy	Orioles	19	HiA-LoA-AA	104	2.08	0.92	2.4	10.3
2012	Trevor Bauer	D-backs	21	AAA-AA	130	2.42	1.29	4.2	10.8
2012	Tony Cingrani	Reds	22	AA-HiA	146	1.73	1.03	3.2	10.6
2012	Jose Fernandez	Marlins	19	LoA-HiA	134	1.75	0.93	2.4	10.6
2012	Dan Straily	Athletics	23	AA-AAA	152	2.78	1.00	2.5	11.2
YEAR	PITCHER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
2011	Matt Moore	Rays	22	AA-AAA	155	1.92	0.95	2.7	12.2
2011	Shelby Miller	Cardinals	20	AA-HiA	140	2.77	1.18	3.4	11.0
2011	Brad Peacock	Nationals	23	AA-AAA	147	2.39	0.99	2.9	10.9
2011	Tyler Skaggs	D-backs	19	HiA-AA	158	2.96	1.11	2.8	11.3
2011	Julio Teheran	Braves	20	AAA	145	2.55	1.18	3.0	7.6
YEAR	PITCHER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
2010	Chris Archer	Cubs	21	HiA-AA	142	2.34	1.17	4.1	9.4
2010	Jeremy Hellickson [POY]	Rays	23	AAA-HiA	119	2.72	1.21	2.8	9.6
2010	John Lamb	Royals	19	HiA-LoA-AA	148	2.38	1.13	2.7	9.7
2010	Matt Moore	Rays	21	HiA	145	3.36	1.18	3.8	12.9
2010	Julio Teheran	Braves	19	HiA-AA-LoA	143	2.59	1.04	2.5	10.0
YEAR	PITCHER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
2009	Madison Bumgarner	Giants	19	AA-HiA	131	1.85	1.02	2.3	6.3
2009	Christian Friedrich	Rockies	21	HiA-LoA	120	2.41	1.15	3.2	12.0
2009	Jeremy Hellickson	Rays	22	AAA-AA	114	2.45	0.89	2.3	10.4
2009	Brian Matusz	Orioles	22	HiA-AA	113	1.91	1.05	2.5	9.6
YEAR	PITCHER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
2008	Madison Bumgarner	Giants	18	LoA	142	1.46	0.93	1.3	10.4
2008	Jhoulys Chacin	Rockies	20	LoA-HiA	178	2.03	1.04	2.1	8.1
2008	Tommy Hanson	Braves	21	AA-HiA	138	2.41	0.99	3.4	10.6
2008	Derek Holland	Rangers	21	LoA-HiA-AA	151	2.27	1.00	2.4	9.4
YEAR	PITCHER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
2007	Clay Buchholz	Red Sox	22	AA-AAA	125	2.44	0.97	2.5	12.3
2007	Ian Kennedy	Yankees	22	HiA-AA-AAA	146	1.91	0.96	3.1	10.0
2007	Joba Chamberlain	Yankees	21	AA-HiA-AAA	88	2.45	1.01	2.8	13.8
2007	James McDonald	Dodgers	22	HiA-AA	135	3.07	1.17	2.5	11.2
YEAR	PITCHER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
2006	Homer Bailey	Reds	20	HiA-AA	139	2.47	1.08	3.2	10.1
2006	Yovani Gallardo	Brewers	20	HiA-AA	155	1.86	1.00	3.0	10.9
2006	Matt Garza	Twins	22	AA-HiA-AAA	136	1.99	0.88	2.1	10.2
2006	Phil Hughes	Yankees	20	AA-HiA	146	2.16	0.86	2.1	10.4
YEAR	PITCHER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
2005	Felix Hernandez	Mariners	19	AAA	88	2.25	1.25	4.9	10.2
2005	Chuck James	Braves	23	AA-HiA-AAA	161	2.12	0.86	2.0	10.8
2005	Francisco Liriano	Twins	21	AAA-AA	168	2.63	1.05	2.7	11.0
2005	Justin Verlander	Tigers	22	HiA-AA	119	1.29	0.90	2.0	10.3
YEAR	PITCHER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
2004	Jose Capellan	Braves	23	AA-HiA-AAA	140	2.32	1.13	2.9	9.8
2004	Jeff Francis [POY]	Rockies	23	AA-AAA	155	2.21	0.89	1.7	11.4
2004	Brandon McCarthy	White Sox	20	LoA-HiA-AA	172	3.14	0.95	1.6	10.6
2004	Yusmeiro Petit	Mets	19	LoA-HiA-AA	139	2.20	0.90	2.6	12.9
YEAR	PITCHER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
2003	Travis Blackley	Mariners	20	AA	162	2.61	1.15	3.4	8.0
2003	Dave Bush	Blue Jays	23	AA-HiA	158	2.79	1.04	1.6	8.4
2003	Zack Greinke	Royals	19	HiA-AA	140	1.93	0.94	1.2	7.2
2003	Greg Miller	Dodgers	18	HiA-AA	142	2.21	1.17	3.0	9.5
YEAR	PITCHER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
2002	Sean Burnett	Pirates	19	HiA	155	1.80	0.97	1.9	5.6
2002	Joe Roa	Phillies	30	AAA	111	1.86	0.89	1.3	6.0
2002	Kirk Saarloos	Astros	23	AA-AAA	99	1.54	0.84	2.1	9.2
2002	Billy Traber	Indians	22	AA-AAA	162	2.94	1.16	1.8	6.4
YEAR	PITCHER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
2001	Josh Beckett [POY]	Marlins	21	AA-HiA	140	1.54	0.83	2.2	13.0
2001	Boof Bonser	Giants	19	LoA	134	2.49	1.13	4.1	12.0
2001	Brandon Claussen	Yankees	22	AA-HiA	187	2.31	1.16	3.3	10.6
2001	Nate Cornejo	Tigers	21	AA-AAA	154	2.57	1.16	2.8	7.4
2001	Brandon Duckworth	Phillies	25	AAA	147	2.63	1.08	2.2	9.2
YEAR	PITCHER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
2000	Roy Oswalt	Astros	22	AA-HiA	175	2.21	1.09	1.7	9.7
2000	Christian Parra	Braves	22	HiA	158	2.28	0.98	3.2	9.3
2000	Jon Rauch [POY]	White Sox	21	HiA-AA	166	2.66	1.13	2.7	10.1
2000	Bud Smith	Cardinals	20	AA-AAA	163	2.26	1.07	2.3	7.5
2000	Greg Wooten	Mariners	26	AA	179	2.31	1.01	0.8	5.8
YEAR	PITCHER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
1999	Rick Ankiel [POY]	Cardinals	19	AAA-AA	138	2.35	1.16	4.1	12.7
1999	Eric Gagne	Dodgers	23	AA	168	2.63	1.11	3.4	9.9
1999	Tomo Ohka	Red Sox	23	AA-AAA	140	2.31	1.13	2.3	7.4
1999	Matt Riley	Orioles	19	AA-HiA	177	3.05	1.15	2.8	9.6
YEAR	PITCHER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
1998	Rick Ankiel	Cardinals	18	HiA-LoA	161	2.63	0.97	2.8	12.4
1998	Ryan Bradley	Yankees	22	HiA-AA-AAA	136	2.65	0.98	3.4	9.9
1998	Bruce Chen	Braves	21	AA-AAA	163	3.09	1.16	3.7	10.6
1998	Brad Penny	D-backs	20	HiA	164	2.96	1.06	1.9	11.4
YEAR	PITCHER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
1997	Matt Clement	Padres	22	HiA-AA	189	2.05	1.16	3.0	9.6
1997	Cliff Politte	Cardinals	23	HiA-AA	158	2.22	1.04	2.3	8.2
1997	Brian Rose	Red Sox	21	AAA	191	3.02	1.23	2.2	5.5
1997	Steve Woodard	Brewers	22	AA-AAA	143	3.01	1.15	1.6	6.5
YEAR	PITCHER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
1996	Rick Helling	Rangers	25	AAA	140	2.96	1.16	2.4	10.1
1996	Curt Lyons	Reds	21	AA	142	2.41	1.17	3.3	11.2
1996	Carl Pavano	Red Sox	20	AA	185	2.63	1.09	2.3	7.1
YEAR	PITCHER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
1995	Bartolo Colon	Indians	22	HiA	129	1.96	1.01	2.7	10.6
1995	Rocky Coppinger	Orioles	21	AA-HiA-AAA	187	1.97	1.13	4.0	8.3
1995	Jason Isringhausen	Mets	22	AAA-AA	128	1.97	0.98	2.5	9.4
1995	Donne Wall	Astros	27	AAA	177	3.30	1.25	1.6	6.0
1995	Paul Wilson	Mets	22	AA-AAA	186	2.41	1.03	2.1	9.4
YEAR	PITCHER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
1994	Juan Acevedo	Rockies	24	AA	175	2.37	1.03	2.0	8.3
1994	Alan Benes	Cardinals	22	AA + 3 Lvls	206	2.28	0.95	2.3	8.1
1994	LaTroy Hawkins	Twins	21	AAA-AA-HiA	194	3.07	1.24	3.1	5.9
1994	Scott Ruffcorn	White Sox	24	AAA	166	2.72	1.08	2.2	7.8

Minor League All-Star Team Relievers

Francisco Cordero (three all-star teams, 329 career saves) and Fernando Rodney (one all-star team) have to be considered feathers in the cap in an otherwise lackluster group of all-stars—though recent honorees like Daniel Bard, Tim Collins, Addison Reed and Carter Capps are positioned for successful careers.

RELIEVER**
YEAR	PITCHER	ORG	AGE	LEVEL	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB9	SO9
2012	Carter Capps	Mariners	21	AA-AAA	51	1.23	1.01	2.1	13.1
2011	Addison Reed	White Sox	22	HiA + 3 Lvls	78	1.26	0.73	1.6	12.8
2010	Tim Collins	Royals	20	AAA-AA	71	2.02	0.94	3.4	13.6
2009	Dan Runzler	Giants	24	LoA + 3 Lvls	59	0.76	0.80	3.7	12.7
2008	Daniel Bard	Red Sox	23	AA-LoA	78	1.51	0.93	3.5	12.4
2007	Edwar Ramirez	Yankees	26	AAA-AA	57	0.79	0.85	3.5	16.2
2006	Juan Salas	Rays	27	AA-AAA	63	0.71	0.84	3.6	12.1
2005	Jermaine Van Buren	Cubs	24	AAA	55	1.98	1.01	3.6	10.7
2004	Brad Baker	Padres	23	AA-AAA	67	1.48	1.05	3.8	11.4
2003	Fernando Rodney	Tigers	26	AAA	41	1.33	0.86	2.9	12.8
2002	Joe Valentine	White Sox	22	AA	59	1.97	1.11	4.6	9.6
2001	—
2000	Maximo Regalado	Dodgers	23	HiA-AA	54	1.83	1.11	3.8	12.0
1999	Francisco Cordero	Tigers	24	AA	52	1.38	1.09	3.8	10.0
1998	Brent Stentz	Twins	22	AA	59	1.98	1.22	4.3	9.9
1997	Francisco Cordero	Tigers	22	LoA	54	0.99	0.94	2.5	11.1
1996	Sean Maloney**	Brewers	25	AA	57	1.43	1.08	1.9	9.1
1996	Jay Tessmer**	Yankees	24	HiA	97	1.48	0.89	1.8	9.6
1995	—
1994	Brad Clontz	Braves	23	AA-AAA	71	1.53	0.99	2.4	8.9

** The 1996 all-star team included two relievers, Sean Maloney and Jay Tessmer, among the five pitchers selected. No reliever was selected in either 1995 or 2001.