Sox Scoops 41.161: AA Champ Beloit Racks Up Post-Season Awards

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By Rick Mariotti
Minor Leagues Beat Writer
Chicago Sports Online

Beloit, Wis. – Members of the AA Champion Beloit Blue Sox have been gathering in a haul of post-season awards, as you might expect.

Left Fielder Ricardo Torres and SP Felipe Méndez took home the Donaldo Subleague’s top awards:

• Torres won the Jorge Olivas Batter Award as the league’s top hitter for 2041.

• Méndez took home the Donaldo’s Todd Demko Hurler Award as the league’s best pitcher.

Torres also captured the Donaldo’s Platinum Stick Award as the best hitting left fielder in the game, and the Final Judgment MVP Award for his performance in Beloit’s stunning come-from-behind victory over the Bismarck Churchills in the Warren Cox League AA championship series.

Blue Sox SS Miguel Valdéz, meanwhile, won the Donaldo's Brad Aramathal Glove Award as the league’s best fielder at his position.

Torres slashed .317/.383/.619 with 39 home runs, 94 RBIs, a .404 WOBA and 5.5 WAR for the season, while Méndez compiled a record of 17-8 in 26 starts. He had an ERA of 3.22 and a FIP of 3.89 in 198.1 innings, with 145 Ks and 50 walks. Valdéz posted a zone rating of 10.9 at shortstop and a defensive efficiency of 1.036. He had a solid year at the plate, as well, slashing .274/.337/.373 in 133 games.

“I can’t say I’m surprised by the honors,” said Blue Sox manager Javier Montero. “It was a great year for the team, and great years for many of our players. They have great days ahead of them. It’ll be fun to watch!”