Alen Hanson, shortstop for the Class-A Bradenton Marauders (affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates), was named the MVP of the Florida State League All-Star Game on Saturday, as the Southern Division upended the Northern Division by a score of 8-1 at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin, Florida (home of the Dunedin Blue Jays).
Hanson highlighted a five-run fifth inning for the Southern Division, slugging a three-run home run to right field. In all, Hanson went 1-for-5 with three RBI, all stemming from his big hit in the fifth.
In 62 games this season, Hanson has batted .291 (72-for-247) with four home runs and 27 RBI to go along with an OBP/SLG/OPS line of .355/.437/.793.
Richie Shaffer, first-round draft pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in last year’s MLB Draft, contributed to the Southern Division’s winning effort, going 1-for-2 with an RBI sacrifice fly. Shaffer has had a mediocre season with the Class-A Charlotte Stone Crabs, posting a .241 batting average with four home runs and 28 RBI along with a .289/.364/.653 OBP/SLG/OPS line.
Other top prospects that appeared for the Southern Division included Noah Syndergaard (New York Mets) and Justin Nicolino (Miami Marlins), who pitched the third and fourth innings, respectfully.
