Minor Leagues Beat Writer
Chicago Sports Online
The Beloit Blue Sox have selected right fielder Wally Poole as their Hitter of the Year for the 2040 season.
Wally Poole
Poole slashed .262/.371/.496 with 27 home runs, 85 RBIs and 3.6 WAR on the season. He led the team in OBP, homers, RBIs and WAR.
“Wally was a key presence in our batting order all season long,” said Blue Sox Manager Keith Russell. “He was the guy we turned to when we needed a big hit.”
Poole, who was a 15th round draft pick in 2038, beat out LF Myeong-hwan Im, who slashed .263/.332/.434 with 13 homers, 54 RBIs and 1.8 WAR.
“This was probably not the most talented roster in our system this past season,” said Chicago Asst. GM Bill McGuffin, “but we think Wally would have made his presence felt wherever he played. We look forward to seeing him in AAA Carolina next year.”
Whether Poole has the skills necessary to contribute at the major league level is an open question. Certainly, scouts like his power (7/7) and plate discipline (6/6), but his contact ratings are pretty pedestrian (5/5).
Regardless, Poole, 20, of Keystone, FL, seemed gratified by the recognition from his team.
“Well, this is pretty cool,” he said. “I just try to work as hard as I can every day and hope that good things will happen. So far, they have. I’m looking forward to helping Carolina next season! We’ll see what happens after that.”