2022 UNITED STATES ALL-STAR TEAM

(stats through Saturday’s games)

(compiled by Chris Masse, cmasse@sungazette.com)

C―TED SWANSON, IOWA: One of several players on this list who could masterfully handle multiple positions, Swanson helped Iowa win two games at the Series and spark its dangerous lineup. Swanson hit .545 and recorded a .615 on-base percentage. He doubled twice, scored six runs and added three RBIs. Swanson provided reliable defense as well and twice delivered multiple hits in a game.

IF―JARON LANCASTER, HAWAII: One of the most talented players, Lancaster is a five-tool threat who excelled in all facets while here. The shortstop made no errors and displayed a hose for an arm, anchoring a stout infield. He also was potent at the plate, hitting .538 with two home runs, two doubles, a triple and five RBIs. Lancaster flies around the bases and also scored eight times. Teams did their best to pitch around Lancaster but he still hit in four straight games and had three multi-hit games.

IF―CHASE LINK, PENNSYLVANIA: Link also felt the Lancaster treatment, even receiving an intentional walk with nobody on base against Indiana. It was justified, too, because the sweet swinging third baseman put on a hurt on baseballs while here. Link tied for the home run lead with three and hit .462 with a .562 on-base percentage. He homered in three straight games and finished with seven RBIs and six runs over his last four games. A good fielder as well, Link changed the complexion of three Pennsylvania wins with his home runs.

IF―WILLIAM SATINOFF, TENNESSE: If Ozzie Smith was watching the Series he probably was a bit envious. That’s how good Satinoff was. The shortstop basically produced an instructional video on how to play his position, making the most difficult plays look easy. He took away at least four hits at the Series with spectacular plays and saved a win against Indiana with a breathtaking diving catch in which he seemingly defied gravity. Satinoff also was an ideal leadoff hitter who compiled a .467 on-base percentage and scored four runs, while producing two multi-hit games.

IF―KADEN HALL, INDIANA: Wherever he played, Hall played well, shining at shortstop, pitcher and catcher. He also packed quite a punch at the plate, hitting .625 and going 5 for 8 with a triple and two doubles. Hall collected a hit in all three game and hit a hard grounder which helped bring in the winning run against Iowa. Hall also was overpowering on the mound and struck out 15 in seven innings, including 11 against U.S runner-up Tennessee.

OF―BEAU RABEL, PENNSYLVANIA: A consistent threat in the middle of Pennsylvania’s offense, Rabel went 3 for 3 in his first game and never really slowed down. Rabel hit .533 over five Series games and totaled a .562 on-base percentage. He also doubled, drove in four runs and scored three times. Rabel helped Pennsylvania win three straight games at one point and had three multi-hit games.

OF―LIAM FERGUSON, WASHINGTON: He only had two games at the Series, but Ferguson made them count and picked up where he left off at the Northwest Regional. There, Ferguson’s game-tying, sixth-inning home run ignited a comeback as Washington won in extra innings. He then went 2 for 4 in his two Series games, smashing a home run against Iowa. He had a hit in both games as well.

OF-RUSTON HIYOTO, HAWAII: He missed two games, but Hiyoto made up for lost time and was a force when he played. One of Hawaii’s super subs, Hiyoto batted .1000, going 4 for 4 and driving in two runs in each of his three games. Hiyoto hit a big home run in the U.S. Final against Tennessee and entered the world final with six RBIs. In two games against the runner-up Tennessee, Hiyoto was 3 for 3.

UTILITY-KAIDEN SHELTON, TEXAS: A resilient player who consistently delivered in big spots, Shelton helped power Texas to a third-place finish, hitting, fielding and pitching well. The slugger hit .385 and produced a .529 on-base percentage. He also homered twice, drove in five runs and scored four times. Shelton made no errors and also was 2-0 on the mound. He struck out seven batters in seven innings and fielded a 2.57 ERA.

P-COHEN SAKAMOTO, HAWAII: The U.S. Player of the Series, Sakamoto was a force in all facets. He finally allowed a hit Saturday but was still dominant in a 6-1 championship victory against Tennessee. Sakamoto went 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA, allowing no hits in his first two appearances. Hard-throwing and crafty, Sakamoto surrendered just two hits in 13 2/3 innings, while striking out 24 and walking just two. He also was one of the field’s best hitters, batting .667 with two home runs, two triples, a double and nine RBIs. Sakamoto delivered a hit in every gam.

P-DREW CHADWICK, TENNESSEE: Letting his defense work behind him and pounding the strike zone, Chadwick put on a pitching clinic every time he took the mound. Chadwick went 2-0 with a 1.24 ERA and was sensational in the loser’s bracket final against Texas. Chadwick threw a complete game six-hitter in that 7-1 win, blanking potent Texas over the last five innings. Chadwick was at his best in big moments and struck out eight in 9 2/3 innings.

INTERNATIONAL ALL-STAR TEAM

(compiled by Evan Wheaton, ewheaton@sungazette.com)

C – TSENG YI-CHE, CHINESE TAIPEI: Tseng Yi-Che was a central part of an elite Chinese Taipei defense that only allowed one run and one error all the way up to the International Championship. With 39 putouts on 40 total chances, Taipei City’s fielding percentage sat as high as .978 ahead of its third-place match against Tennessee. Yi-Che was one of four Chinese Taipei hitters batting over .300, recording a pair of multi-hit games and batting .357 with a .400 OBP.

IF – MIGUEL PADILLA, MEXICO: Miguel Padilla was one of the most all around dominant players in the 2022 Little League World Series. At the plate he batted .500 and hit two home runs. He also scored five runs and had three RBIs through Mexico’s four games. A solid third baseman, Padilla also shined on the mound with 11 strikeouts, five hits and 1.636 ERA. He pitched 7 1/3 innings altogether, but was routinely getting on base with a .538 OBPS.

IF – JAXON MAYERVICH, CANADA: Canada had a dominant start to the tournament, outsourcing opponents 13-0. Jaxon Mayervich played a strong hand with that both at the plate and on the mound. In Vancouver’s first game against Australia, Mayervich went 4 for 4 and ended the tournament with a .600 batting average. In a pitcher’s duel against Japan, Mayervich won with a 10-strikeout, three-hit performance in 4 1/3 innings for the win.

IF – ALEXANDER PROVACIA, CURACAO: Curacao’s defense speaks for itself, having shut out three teams. Alexander Provacia made seven putouts on 11 attempts and played strong defense against Nicaragua and Italy. His batting may not show it with a 2 for 10 mark and .200 average ahead of the championship, but Willemstad’s club was involved in many defensive trudges through the tournament. There were only two games against Panama, as well as a rematch with Nicaragua, where Curaçao’s bats were hot from the start.

IF – LUIS GARCIA, NICARAGUA: Nicaragua made some noise while rebounding in the international elimination bracket, and Luis Garcia provided plenty of muscle for the Latin America regional champion. Garcia crushed two home runs, drove in eight runs, scored six himself and held a .353 OBP. The shortstop was also a part of a solid defense that bolstered a .971 fielding percentage.

OF – JOHAN SARAVIA, NICARAGUA: To put it simply, Johan Saravia locked it down in the outfield. On all seven total chances, Saravia made seven putouts. With the bat in his hands, he was a difficult out in Nicaruagua’s lineup with a .529 ONP while batting .467. Saravia also shined on the mound against Panama with six strikeouts and no hits, runs or walks through three innings.

OF – REANGELO DECASTER, CURACAO: A solid fielder, Reangelo Decaster has also been huge on the mound for Curacao. In 12 innings and two games where he went at least four frames, Decaster struck out 17 with four runs let up for a 0.500 ERA. His biggest performance came against Canada when he fanned six with one hit and not a single run allowed through four innings of work.

OF – CHEN PO-CHUN, CHINESE TAIPEI: Fu-Lin allowed just one run against it leading up to the International Championship. Chen Po-Chun played a solid outfield to help that happen. He may not have seen the plate much with just four appearances up to the final day of the tournament, but when he was at bat, Po-Chun wasn’t an easy out to make. He batted .500 against Panama and Mexico and held a .333 average heading into the third-place match against Tennessee. Po-Chun also finished with a .500 OBP.

UTILITY – JAY-DYLNN WIEL, CURACAO: Wherever he was in Curacao’s lineup, Jay-Dlynn Wiel made an impact. Against Mexico, Wiel held down the fort in a complete game where he struck out six with just one hit and one run allowed. He struck out 13 through 10 2/3 innings of the tournament while also taking up shortstop and third baseman duties. He wasn’t too shabby offensively either, batting .294 en route to the Little League World Series Championship.

P – DAVEY-JAY RIJKE, CURACAO: Davey-Jay Rijke has been paramount to Curacao’s success throughout the tournament. In 12 1/3 innings — including a complete game — Rijke struck out 31 batters with just six hits allowed. Rijke has let up just two runs for a .486 ERA. While he’s undoubtedly been a force of nature on the mound for Willemstad’s club, Rijke has also been consistent at the plate with a .316 batting average. Though Rijke excels as a pitcher, he’s been able to shine both at shortstop and as a reliable hitter.

P – DAVID ZARATE, MEXICO: Through Mexico’s run in the tournament, David Zarate tacked on 16 strikeouts through 8 2/3 innings with four hits and four runs for a 2.077 ERA. Against Canada, Zarate struck out six without any hits, walks or runs allowed over three innings. Zarate was a two-way threat for Mexico. With the bat in his hands, he held a .444 average.