Frieri is Padres’ Lone Rep in AAA All-Star Game

Reliever Ernesto Frieri, the Portland Beavers’ closer, is the Padres’ only representative in the Triple-A All-Star Game.

The 23-year-old Colombian righthander is in his first year as a professional reliever after working as a starter through 2009.

He’s excelled in the new role, allowing just 12 hits in 32 2/3 innings.

Frieri’s struck out 39 and walked 17; the walks are the last big hurdle for him to clear developmentally.

Frieri threw 10 scoreless innings in April and 10 2/3 in June, allowing no runs and five hits in the two months combined.

It’s certainly a well-deserved All-Star nod for Frieri, although it’s disappointing no other Padres prospects were named to the roster. Still, skimming who made it, and Portland’s stats, it’s understandable.