Player, Pitcher, Rawlings Gold Glove Defensive Player and Manager of the Year winners announced
(Denver, CO, Oct. 16, 2017) – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball today announced the recipients of four 2017 post-season, including the league’s Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year, Rawlings Gold Glove Defensive Player of the Year and Manager of the Year. Results were based upon voting from league executives, club managers and media.
York Revolution outfielder Alonzo Harris has been named the Atlantic League’s Player of the Year. The 28-year-old ranked among the league’s top five in several offensive categories, leading the circuit in runs scored (89), placing second in hits (145) and slugging percentage (.530), third in total bases (244), fourth in batting average (.315) and home runs (23), and fifth in extra-base hits (52). In 114 games for the Revolution, he also added 73 RBI, 28 doubles, 31 stolen bases and a .381 on-base percentage. Defensively, the Mississippi native combined to posted a .986 fielding percentage in 110 games split between second base and the outfield. His efforts helped York win its third Atlantic League championship in franchise history and first since 2011. Harris was selected to represent the Freedom Division at the Atlantic League All-Star Game in July and was also selected to the league’s Post-Season All-Star Team this past week.
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs starting pitcher Gaby Hernandez has been unanimously voted the Atlantic League’s Pitcher of the Year. The six-year Blue Crab led the league with a 2.80 earned run average and 150 strikeouts during the 2017 campaign. In addition, he was tied for third in the league with 11 wins, coming three victories shy of earning the league’s pitching Triple Crown. In 141 and one-third innings pitched over 23 starts, the right-hander allowed just 52 runs (44 earned) and 39 walks while holding opponents to a .231 batting average. His 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings total was his best mark posted since 2012, his inaugural season in the Atlantic League. His efforts helped the Blue Crabs win the First Half Freedom Division championship and clinch a playoff berth. Hernandez was chosen to pitch for the Freedom Division during the Atlantic League All-Star Game and was named a league Post-Season All-Star as well.
New Britain Bees outfielder Michael Crouse has been chosen as the Rawlings Gold Glove Defensive Player of the Year. The 26-year-old played 131 games in the outfield during the 2017 season, more than any other player in the Atlantic League. His 333 putouts and 12 assists were each the second-most in the league among outfielders. The Canada native committed just five errors all season, posting a .986 fielding percentage. In addition, his spectacular leaping grab to rob K.C. Hobson of a home run on June 26 at Clipper Magazine Stadium garnered the top ranking on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays that night. Crouse was selected to represented the Liberty Division during this summer’s All-Star Game and was named to the Atlantic League’s Red, White and Blue All-Defensive Team last week.
Lancaster Barnstormers manager Ross Peeples has been named the Atlantic League’s Manager of the Year. In his first season as manager, the longtime Barnstormers pitcher led Lancaster to a 76-64 overall record, tied with the Bridgeport Bluefish for the best in the league. The Georgia native’s team posted identical 38-32 records in each half of the 2017 season, and the 76 victories represented a nine-win increase from the 2016 season. Under Peeples’ guidance, Lancaster’s offense led the league in runs scored (710) and RBI (666) while ranking second in batting average (.282) and home runs (132). On the mound, Barnstormers pitchers combined to lead the circuit in strikeouts (1,113).
The Atlantic League will wrap up its 2017 Post-Season awards announcements on Wednesday, October 18. Among the final awards will be the Joe Klein Executive of the Year, the Ken Shepard Award for Promotional Excellence, the Ray Cipperly Award for Groundskeeping Excellence, Mascot of the Year, Ballpark of the Year, Promotion of the Year and Outstanding Club Community Service Award.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball ( ALPB)
The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 36 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.
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