Four Tincaps Make Midwest League All-Star Team

The Padres Class A team, the Fort Wayne Tincaps will be well represented this year in the Midwest League All-Star game this year. Pitcher Adys Portillo, catcher Austin Hedges, shortstop Jace Peterson, and pitcher Frank Garces will represent the Padres organization at the game, which will take place in Geneva, Illinois.

Portillo, 21, has made great strides this year, pitching to 4-2 record, with a league-leading 1.66 ERA. Portillo is having much better results in his second go-around in the Midwest League, after pitching to a 7.11 ERA last year.

Hedges, who is just 19, was a second round pick for the Padres in the 2011 draft. He is hitting .266, with 5 HR’s and 25 RBI’s. Baseball America had Hedges rated as the Padres #10 prospect, going into the 2012 season.

Peterson, was taken 58th overall by the Padres last year, and is the top shortstop prospect in the Padres system. Peterson has been impressive in 2012, hitting .304, with a .399 on-base percentage. He also has 19 steals, good for 5th in the league.

Garces, 22, was signed out of the Dominican Republic as a minor league free agent. The diminutive Garces (he’s 5’11, 155lbs) has pitched well for the Tincaps, posting 2.73 ERA in 11 starts.

It is very encouraging to see the young talent in the Padres system enjoy some accolades. Portillo and Peterson are two intriguing prospects that should make it to Petco Park in the near future.