Kernels' Taylor, Amarista named MWL postseason all-stars

Second baseman Alexi Amarista and left-handed relief pitcher Andrew Taylor of the Cedar Rapids Kernels have been named Midwest League's 2009 postseason all-stars, it was announced Tuesday.

The all-stars are selected via league manager vote.

Going into Tuesday night's game against Clinton, Amarista was hitting .313 with four home runs, 10 triples, 35 doubles and 48 RBIs in 117 games. In 36 games, Taylor is 3-0 with a 0.94 earned run average and seven saves. He has 79 strikeouts in 48 innings.

Infielder Dee Gordon and outfielder Kyle Russell of Great Lakes were named the league's co-MVPs. Gordon was selected the MWL's Prospect of the Year.

Fort Wayne's Doug Dascenzo and Peoria's Marty Pevey were named co-Managers of the Year.

Here's the complete list:

2009 Midwest League Postseason All-Star Team

Infielders

Pitchers/Outfielders

POS.

PLAYER NAME

TEAM

POS.

PLAYER NAME

TEAM

C

Tony Delmonico

Great Lakes

OF

Kyle Russell

Great Lakes

1B

Rebel Ridling

Peoria

OF

Kyler Burke

Peoria

2B

Alexi Amarista

Cedar Rapids

OF

Josh Harrison

Peoria

3B

Josh Vitters

Peoria

RHSP

Kenny Smalley

Kane County

SS

Dee Gordon

Great Lakes

LHSP

Casey Crosby

West Michigan

DH

Billy Nowlin

West Michigan

RHRP

Brad Bach

Fort Wayne

DH

Billy Nowlin

West Michigan

LHRP

Andrew Taylor

Cedar Rapids

MVP: Dee Gordon, Kyle Russell

Prospect of the Year: Dee Gordon

Managers of the Year: Doug Dascenzo (Fort Wayne), Marty Pevey (Peoria)