Yellow Springs Nine Announce 2056 End of Season Awards
November 8, 2056
Yellow Springs, OH – The Yellow Springs Nine announced their 2056 Team Awards today, an annual tradition instituted by GM Rob McMonigal, now in its fifth year.
"2056 was a phenomenal year for our organization, from here in Yellow Springs to wherever the hell it is that the Road Runners play," said McMonigal. We are very proud to congratulate the following players and coach on their well-deserved wins in these categories. It was extremely hard to pick the winners but my staff and I finally hammered them out, just like so many of our players hammered balls out of the park this year."
The Awards are as follows:
2056 Coach of the Year
Jason Ramsey, Yellow Springs Nine Manager
After losing 101 games in his first season in the dugout, Ramsey pulled out all the stops and took an improved team into playoff contention, being eliminated with just 5 games remaining in the regular season and going on to an 80-82 record, a 19 game improvement that might have been even more if the team hadn't taken September to experiment with several players. "When I first came here, McMonigal had a lot to say about the lineups. I asked him to trust me, and he did," said Ramsey. The result was a massive rebound and a team looking forward to a strong 2057.
2056 Offensive Player of the Year
1B Burhan Tahir
Fresh off his new contract, Tahir broke out in a big way for the Nine, contributing to their return to respectability. He set career highs in home runes (29), Runs (78), RBIs (107, finally getting over the century mark), OPS (.830) and WRC+ (129). His WAR of 2.6 was his second best, as was his walks (44). He continued to excel with the glove as well, with defensive efficiency once against over 1.0. "I know he's almost unbelievably popular, but he's good, too. We're so lucky to have Burhan on our team now and for many years to come," said McMonigal.
2056 Defensive Player of the Year
C Ron Shiplack
Though Shiplack didn't join the team until mid-season, he had an immediate impact on the pitching staff and was a big part of the team's improvements and push back to almost a .500 record. He made only 1 error in 67 games, a .998 fielding percentage. He also threw out 30% of would-be base stealers, best on the team and best since Jesus Rodriguez was traded in 2054. "I can't tell you what a difference he makes out there," said long-time veteran Dave Lee. "It's night and day when you're throwing to Ron."
2056 Pitcher of the Year
SP Brody Picot
A free-agent signing during spring training in 2056, Picot immediately became the anchor of the Nine's rotation, pitching 216.2 innings, over 30 more innings than any other pitcher on the staff. He may have had a losing record at 9-10, but his 2.78 ERA meant he kept the team in nearly every game, rarely getting blown apart. A focus of trade rumors, he kept his head down and marched through lineups en route to a 4.1 WAR, a new career high. His 1.13 WAR was a personal best. "Brody exceeded our wildest expectations," said McMonigal. "We're looking forward to him serving as yet another veteran voice for our younger players, like Cody McGuire."
2056 Rookie of the Year
SP Myung-Joo Pak
Pak was a Rule 5 selection in the 2055-2056 off-season, plucked from San Fernando. Though he'd never played above AA, you'd never know it, as he went 5-5 in 32 games, 16 of them starts after he was moved into the rotation. Pak quickly found his place and looks to be a lock for years to come as he uses his 4-pitch arsenal to keep hitters off-balance. "We had some questions in the rotation last year, as you all know," said Ramsey. "Now, thanks to Pak, we have some answers."
2056 Prospect of the Year
OF Edgar Barron
Just 22, Barron won the Sixto Mazzolo Batter Award for the Charley Pegler League thanks in large part to ending the season with a 7.4 WAR en route to leading the Tarpons to the playoffs for the first time in years. He played all across the infield and is a big part of the Nine's plans for the future. "Barron was the guy I wanted in the draft and I am so very glad he was available," said McMonigal. "We're being cautious, as we always do with our top prospects, but it looks like Edgar will be a player people will know well here sooner rather than later."
New this year, in addition to their awards, each player will have a donation made to a charity of their choice in the amount of $50,000. No names of the charities were immediately disclosed.
