2055-2 Tidwell and Dempsey Win ROM

[indiansfan]

Tidwell and Dempsey Win Rookie of the Month

After missing the playoffs for the 4th straight season, there appears to be some reason to be optimistic about the future of the Calgary Pioneers. Rookie starting pitcher Rich Tidwell was selected as July’s JL Rookie of the Month and teammate Brodie Dempsey took the award home for September. Dempsey did not have enough plate appearances for the outfielder to qualify for Rookie of the Year voting, Tidwell got some votes and was in 6th place with some votes remaining.

Tidwell played with Calgary the whole season after getting a handful of starts last September. In 32 starts he finished 11-11, 5.04 ERA. Tidwell started the season strong and entered August 9-6, 4.05 ERA. However he clearly ran out of steam and had a terrible August and September. The 182 IP was the most he has ever had in a season and the team is hoping that he will have better endurance next season.

Dempsey debuted in right field near the end of May and began platooning a few weeks later. The power hitting lefty was hitting .344 in AAA and forced his way to the bigs at the tender age of 22. His line in Calgary was .273 BA, .606 SLG, .958 OPS with 22 home runs and 48 RBIs in 51 starts. Coming off the bench as a pinch hitter he hit .387, 1.380 OPS. With the team’s top outfield prospect (not Dempsey) coming to Calgary next year, the team is going to have to find a way for Dempsey to get his at bats.