CATCHER - ERMINDO ESCOBAR, SAN RAFAEL PACIFICS

The nine year veteran threw out 17% of base runners this past season and held a career high .332 average for the Pacifics. The 28 year old previously had five years of Cuban National League Series experience as well as two years of American Association and one year of Atlantic League before joining the Pacifics. Escobar also added a career high eight home runs and 15 doubles.

FIRST BASE - AXEL JOHNSON, SAN RAFAEL PACIFICS

The lefty mashed 19 home runs and 22 doubles while also leading the league with 67 RBIs. Johnson also flashed the leather at first base while helping the Pacifics during the championship run. 

Johnson played collegiate baseball at Texas Christian University (TCU) for one season before transferring to Missouri Southern State University for his final two seasons.

On August 15th, Johnson went 4-4 with three home runs and five RBIs vs. the Napa Silverados in a 14-4 victory.

After the season, it was announced that Johnson had signed with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association. This will be Johnson’s fourth stint in the American Association, first since 2018 with Cleburne.

SECOND BASE - NICK GOTTA, SONOMA STOMPERS

Gotta led the Pacific Association by a wide margin with a on-base percentage of .544. Gotta also held an absurd walk-to-strikeout ratio of 84/31. Gotta also scored 71 runs and stole 18 bases in 2019. Gotta had 18 extra base hits in 60 games, including five home runs. Gotta also held an impressive .362 average to go along with his strong defensive play. 

SHORTSTOP - RAUL NAVARRO, SAN RAFAEL PACIFICS

Navarro’s first professional season since 2016 did not disappoint. The former Diamondback affiliate hit a whopping .372 with 18 doubles and six home runs. Navarro also drove in 41 runs while scoring 66 of his own in just 62 games played. 

His strong play earned him playing time in the Venazalian Winter League for Navegantes del Magallanes. 

THIRD BASE - CHRIS KWITZER, SONOMA STOMPERS

Former Buffalo Bulls MAC All-Conference player Chris Kwitzer had a strong performance for the Sonoma Stompers during the 2019 season. Over 58 games, Kwitzer hit nine home runs and drove in 56 more while also having 14 doubles and two triples. Kwitzer held a .309 average over 236 at-bats.  

On August 17th, Kwizter went 4-6, with four runs scored and five RBIs vs. the Napa Silverados, the second time he’d eclipsed five runs batted in for one game this season.

LEFT FIELD - NICK ULTSCH, NAPA SILVERADOS

Ultsch, who was a rookie player out of the University of Puget Sound quickly made noise in the Pacific Association by batting a whopping .320 with 12 home runs and 11 doubles. Ultsch also drove in 54 runs while also scoring 45.

The lefty had nine games with three or more hits, with a career high four against the Salina Stockade on June 1st. The slugger also had a 14 hit week during the August 10 through 17 time span.

CENTER FIELD - DONDREI HUBBARD, SONOMA STOMPERS

Before joining the Lake Erie Crushers of the Frontier League during their playoff run, Hubbard was leading the Pacific Association in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in. Hubbard mashed 27 extra base hits in just 41 games with the Sonoma Stompers, while holding a .364 average. 

The Mayville State alumnus impressed while driving in 55 Stompers’ over his 63 hits. Hubbard’s strong defensive play and presence at the plate  was worthy of Most Valuable Player performance before his promotion to the Frontier League.

RIGHT FIELD - COREY DEMPSTER, SAN RAFAEL PACIFICS

The former USC Trojan entered his second season with the San Rafael Pacifics. Over 64 games, Dempster hit 17 home runs, 14 doubles and four triples. The Loyola HS grad also drove in 62 while holding a .278 average. 

Over Dempster’s USC career, he amassed 126 games and a .271 average. The righty also hit 10 home runs and 27 doubles while driving in 58 runs. Dempster was drafted by the New York Yankees after his Junior season in the 37th round of the 2016 MLB June Amateur Draft.

PITCHER - NICK BARNESE, SONOMA STOMPERS 

The former Tampa Bay 3rd round draft pick of the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft out of Simi Valley High School tied a league best seven wins for the Sonoma Stompers during the 2019 season. Barense held an impressive 3.68 ERA over 63.2 innings pitched while striking out 73. Barense, who holds six years of affiliated experience, helped lead the Stompers pitching staff during their successful season.

The Pacific Association will be announcing league awards next week. League awards will consist of Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, Pitcher of the Year, Reliever of the Year, Manager of the Year and Executive of the Year. For more information on the Pacific Association follow along on our Facebook and Instagram!