2040.01 - The Long Beach Independent - Surfers Recognized in End of Season Awards

[Lane]

FORD A WINNER, LINDT MAKES APPEARANCE

Center Fielder extraordinaire Wilson Ford was honored with his first Yogi Zimmer Diamond Glove award for his performance in the 2039 regular season.

In 148 games in center, he had 420 total chances, making 404 putouts, 13 assists and just three errors. His zone rating clocked in at +12.5, best in the Frick. A 2036 second-round draftee, as a prospect he was highly coveted by the organization despite multiple attempts for other teams to acquire his services.

A defense-first player, his offense took a step forward this past season compared to his rookie campaign. His 75 OPS+ was well below league average, but in combination with his elite defense he was worth 1.7 on the season as a whole. Rated 6/6/2/5/7 against RHP, there could be a bit more room for his offense to improve in the coming seasons.

On the pitching side, 29-year-old Diogo Lindt had a breakout season that was recognized (partially) by the voters. In 170 innings over 97 appearances he posted a 3.01 ERA with an astonishing 201 strikeouts, good for 3.1 WAR.

Lindt's season was good enough to earn a place on the Frick League Sawyer Silk Award ballot, where he garnered two first place votes (along with one each second, third and fourth place) which was good enough to place 6th overall.

One would think that a reliever placing this high in the Silk voting would be a shoe-in for the Jason Egan/Guga Oogalunga Reliever of the Year Award. However, voters decided that Curt Phillips of Yellow Springs was more deserving of the honor. This is likely a result of Phillips having been put in a position to record 39 saves to Lindt's 6. Phillips pitched less than 1/2 of the innings and recorded less than 1/2 of Lindt's total strikeouts.

[bschr682]

But you’re not bitter or anything...

[Lane]

But you’re not bitter or anything...

No, I'm not bitter at all. Sounds like the beatwriter at The Independent is though.

[shoeless.db]

I always enjoy when the homer-slant leaks through in a reporter's writing.

[RonCo]

Phillips deserved the award.