NewsTopps unveils 51st Rookie All-Star team
Pair of White Sox, NL ROY Coghlan featured on squad
By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com
11/25/09 10:45 AM EST
The Topps Company announced its 51st annual Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team on Wednesday, with nine different teams represented and the White Sox being accounted for twice.The squad consists of catcher Omir Santos (Mets), first baseman Travis Ishikawa (Giants), second baseman Chris Getz (White Sox), third baseman Gordon Beckham (White Sox), shortstop Elvis Andrus (Rangers), outfielders Chris Coghlan (Marlins), Andrew McCutchen (Pirates) and Nolan Reimold (Orioles), and pitchers Tommy Hanson (Braves) and J.A. Happ (Phillies).
Coghlan is fresh off being named National League Rookie of the Year after leading all rookies with a .321 batting average. American League Rookie of the Year Andrew Bailey, the A's right-hander who posted a 1.84 ERA and recorded 26 saves, was left off the roster.
Santos played in 96 games, batting .260 with 40 RBIs. Ishikawa hit nine homers and drove in 39 runs in 120 games. Getz hit .261 with 31 RBIs in 107 games, while teammate Beckham posted a .270 batting average with 14 homers and 63 RBIs in 103 games. Andrus batted .267 with six home runs and 33 stolen bases while placing second in the voting for AL Rookie of the Year. McCutchen hit .286 with 54 RBIs and 22 stolen bases. Reimold led AL rookies with 15 homers while adding a .279 batting average.
On the mound, Hanson went 11-4 with a 2.89 ERA, and Happ posted a 12-4 mark with a 2.93 ERA.
The Topps Rookie All-Star Team began in 1959, with Willie McCovey being the first of 16 future Hall of Famers named to the squad. The others are Johnny Bench, Rod Carew, Gary Carter, Carlton Fisk, Paul Molitor, Joe Morgan, Eddie Murray, Tony Perez, Kirby Puckett, Jim Rice, Cal Ripken, Ryne Sandberg, Tom Seaver, Ozzie Smith and Billy Williams.
Each Rookie All-Star will receive a trophy on their 2010 Topps trading card. Series 1 is due out in late January.
Alden Gonzalez is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
