(October 27, 2021, New York) – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs (ALPB) today announced the league’s Pitcher of the Year, Daryl Thompson, and Player of the Year, Steve Lombardozzi, Jr.

Daryl Thompson, a right-handed pitcher for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, earned the honor for the second consecutive season. Thompson becomes the third Atlantic Leaguer to win multiple ALPB Pitcher of the Year honors, and the second to win it in back-to-back seasons. The 35-year-old began his professional career when he was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 8^th round of the 2003 MLB Amateur Draft out of La Plata High School, a mere five miles from Regency Furniture Stadium, home of the Blue Crabs. Thompson made his MLB debut in 2008 with the Cincinnati Reds.

In his ninth season in Southern Maryland and his second as a player-pitching coach, the hometown hero continued to make history. On June 9^th Thompson became the ALPB’s all-time strikeout king. On October 6^th he became the league’s all-time wins leader with 76 career wins. He finished the season with a league-best 16 wins against only three losses. The 18-year professional veteran posted league leading ERA (3.20), WHIP (1.12), complete games (4), innings pitched (169.0), and was in the top five in several additional categories.

The Long Island Ducks’ Steve Lombardozzi, Jr. was named the ALPB Player of the Year following a consistently dominant 2021 campaign. The six-year MLB veteran displayed defensive prowess at the keystone position for the North Division champs, committing just four errors in 119 games. Offensively, the former Washington National posted one of the best all-around seasons in Atlantic League history. The Minnesota native finished among league leaders in batting average (.329, 7^th), on-base percentage (.440, T-5^th), hits (143, T-2^nd), stolen bases (20, 8^th), runs (99, 4^th), RBIs (83, 8^th), and doubles (24, 10^th).

In a COVID 19 shortened season, Lombardozzi led the ALPB with 90 walks, only the fourth Atlantic Leaguer to draw 90 or more free passes in the last decade. The 33-year-old, two-time major leaguer stood alone as the Atlantic League’s top performer in a historically brilliant all-round season.

“Congratulations to Daryl and Steve – both are incredible athletes,” said Rick White, Atlantic League President. “Both players enjoyed remarkable seasons and richly deserve this honor.”

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League is the first Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. ALPB has sent over 1,000 players to MLB organizations while drawing over 42 million fans to its family friendly ballparks throughout its 24-year history. Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.

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