Leonard, Starling and Threlkeld named to Appalachian League All-Star team
The Appalachian League named its 2012 All-Star Team today, with third baseman Patrick Leonard, outfielder Bubba Starling and designated hitter Mark Threlkeld representing Burlington (N.C.) on the 14-player squad. Additional league-wide honors were announced, with first-year manager Tommy Shields receiving Appalachian League Manager of the Year honors.
Leonard, 19, is currently second in the league with 13 home runs and in a tie for third with 43 RBI. The resident of Katy, Texas, was Kansas City’s fifth-round selection in the 2011 June Free Agent Draft.
Starling, 20, was selected as the squad’s utility outfielder. He is batting .283 with 10 home runs, 33 RBI and 10 stolen bases through 49 games. The Royals drafted Starling in the first round (fifth overall) in 2011 out of Gardner-Edgerton (Kan.) High School.
Threlkeld, 22, is batting .290 with nine home runs and 33 RBI in 57 games. The Louisiana Tech product was Kansas City’s 25th-round selection in 2011 out of Louisiana Tech.
Shields is in his first year with the Royals after spending six years as Atlanta’s minor league infield coordinator. He has guided Burlington to a 38-22 record, first in the Appalachian League’s East Division with six games remaining in the regular season. The Royals clinched a playoff spot with a win in the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader vs. Kingsport.
For additional information, members of the media may contact the Royals Media Relations Department at (816) 921-8000.