Galvez, Hedges Lead Padres’ Minor Leaguers Into All-Star Action

Now that the Major League All-Star Game is over, many people refer to the day after, or today, as Black Wednesday. It’s the day in the sports world, where no major sporting events are scheduled, and fans are left to review their fantasy baseball rosters, and to find something else to take up their time. However in the minor league baseball realm, two All-Star games take place tonight, and several members of the San Diego Padres’ minor league organizations are involved.

El Paso Chihuahuas’ infielder and hopefully soon-to-be Padre, Jonathan Galvez leads the charge, representing the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate for the Pacific Coast League All-Stars. Galvez enters the exhibition classic, hitting .296, with 7 home runs, 30 RBI, 11 doubles, 2 triples, and 36 runs scored. The 23-year-old second baseman/third baseman could find his way to San Diego shortly after the trading deadline if the Padres’ deal third baseman Chase Headley.

One of the Padres’ top prospects, catcher Austin Hedges of the San Antonio Missions, lead the Double-A Texas League All-Stars into action tonight against their Eastern League rivals. The #18 ranked prospect by Baseball Prospectus, Hedges comes into the break hitting .243, with 5 home runs and 33 runs batted in. He is considered a top defensive catcher, one that could displace Yasmani Grandal if his bat continues to mature.

Outfielder Rymer Liriano (.256/15/48) joins Hedges, along with pitchers Johnny Barbato (2-2, 2.87), James Needy (7-3, 2.56), and Adys Portillo (1-2, 2.95) on the Texas League roster. The entire coaching staff of the San Antonio Missions, the Padres’ Double-A affiliate, leads the Friars’ farmhands into action tonight.