Player, Pitcher, Manager and Rawlings Gold Glove Defensive Player of the Year announced
(Denver, CO, Oct. 18, 2016) – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) today announced the recipients of four post-season awards for the 2016 season, including the league’s Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year, Manager of the Year and Rawlings Gold Glove Defensive Player of the Year. Results were based upon voting from league executives, club managers and media.
Sugar Land Skeeters outfielder Jeremy Barfield has been named the Atlantic League’s Player of the Year. The 28-year-old led the league with 27 home runs, 272 total bases and 60 extra-base hits in 2016. In addition, he was second in the league in runs scored (87), third in RBI (85), fourth in games played (135), hits (156), walks (62) and slugging percentage (.533), fifth in doubles (31) and ninth in batting average .306. Defensively, the Houston native tied for third in the league with 14 outfield assists over 131 games. Barfield went on to bat .308 in the playoffs and helped lead the Skeeters to their first-ever Atlantic League championship. He was selected to play in the league’s All-Star Game in July and was named a Post-Season All-Star this past week.
“To be able to contribute for the entire season was amazing, especially in a league where there is such a high caliber of talent,” said Barfield. “To be recognized with such a prestigious award is the utmost honor.”
Bridgeport Bluefish starting pitcher Jonathan Albaladejo has been chosen has the Atlantic League’s Pitcher of the Year. The right-hander led the league with 15 wins in 2016, four more than any other pitcher, while suffering just six losses. In addition, he set a new league single season record with 164 strikeouts, surpassing the previous mark of 161 set by Len Picota with the Nashua Pride in 2001. The former Major Leaguer also started more games (28) and pitched more innings (172.2) than any other pitcher in the league this year. Albaladejo was selected to represent the Liberty Division at the All-Star Game and threw a scoreless inning, striking out two of the three batters he faced.
“We are very pleased to hear that Jonathan has been named the Pitcher of the Year,” said Bluefish General Manager Jamie Toole. “It was a pleasure to have him on our team this season, and he was outstanding on the mound all year long.”
New Britain Bees manager Stan Cliburn has been named the Atlantic League’s Manager of the Year. After taking the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs to the Atlantic League Championship Series in 2015, he led the Bees to a 71-69 overall record during their inaugural season in the league. While doing so, he helped the Bees post the third-best winning percentage in league history for a first year expansion franchise (Long Island, 82-58, 2000 and Southern Maryland, 74-66, 2008). On August 18, he earned the 1,600th win of his managerial career. The former big leaguer nearly led New Britain to a postseason berth as well, keeping them in playoff contention into their final series of the regular season.
“Stan did a tremendous job putting the team together and providing the fans of New Britain a playoff chase that lasted until the final weekend,” said Bees Principal Owner Frank Boulton. “He's been a winner everywhere he's gone, and we feel fortunate to have him leading our on-field team.”
Somerset Patriots infielder Eric Farris has been chosen as the Rawlings Gold Glove Defensive Player of the Year. In his first ALPB season, he combined to make just six errors all season, good for a .987 fielding percentage. The 30-year-old showed tremendous versatility, playing 98 games at second base, 21 in the outfield, including time at all three positions, four at third base and three at shortstop. Among second basemen with at least 50 games played, the former Major Leaguer posted the best fielding percentage (.988) and fewest errors (5) along with the second-most assists (232) and putouts (163). Farris was recently selected to the Atlantic League’s End-of-Season All-Star Team and Red, White and Blue All-Defensive Team.
“As a team, we always took great pride in our defense all season long,” said Farris. “Brett put me in different spots throughout the year, and I just tried to help out as best as I could.”
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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