It was another gala evening at the World's Largest Denny'sTM as the Talons franchise once again gathered to celebrate the only thing that really matters:
The minor leagues.
AAA Surprise Talons Player of the Year: SP Benno Steeneveld
The AAA Surprise Talons are a trash heap of a team that the franchise doesn't even pay attention to, mostly stocked with washed up veteran players. Steenevld is a 5/5/5 starting pitcher who never really amounted to much in the GBC or the BBA. But last season, the guy just put his head down and worked, throwing 180 innings for Surprise and recording a 10-11 record with a 4.08 ERA and 3.9 WAR on a team that finished with a .382 winning percentage. Good job! See you next year because you inexplicably signed a minor league contract extension!
AA Medicine Hat Flaming Nukes Player of the Year: 3B Kevin Maze
He's 27 years old, and somehow recorded 3.8 WAR while hitting .293/.407/.451 in 137 games at the hot corner for the Nukes. Maze did have a couple of seemingly promising seasons for Charm City after they drafted him, but since then he has been a minor league journeyman. But the journey will stay in Alberta for the time being as, like the guy above, he signed a minor league contract extension for reasons we cannot fathom.
A Toledo Liberty Player of the Year: LF Sergio Leon
There was really no surprise here. On a 126 win team, many players have to excel, but Leon was head and shoulders above the rest. His 8.5 WAR was second best all time in the CPL, and he won the Baxter League MVP award and Batting title by hitting .381/.460/.602, while adding another 1.1 WAR in the CPL playoffs. He was an All Star, won two player of the week and two batter of the month awards, and also garnered a Platinum Stick. He is the fourth consecutive Toledo player to win league MVP, and also the 4th consecutive Liberty to win a batting title. Yes, yes, calm down... we are actually going to call him up to Phoenix next season.
S A Daytona Beach Cruisers Player of the Year: 1B/3B Alfredo Sloan
"Cheese", as the guys call him, led the Cruisers with 8 home runs and 2.6 WAR in 63 games for the Short Season club. The 22 year old Sloan will play for the Liberty full time next season, where his 8 rated power should play well. Alfredo, if he can push that 3B position rating to a 7, has a good chance of being a ML role player in a couple seasons.
R Traverse City Talons Player of the Year: 3B Dalton Darby
We had to look this guy up, but apparently we drafted him in 2058 and this was his 5th season in rookie league. Oops, guess we forgot about him down there. Anyway, his line of .333 with 16 homers and 41 RBI in 65 games led all Traverse City Players, but he still has a lot of work to do in improving his current "3" contact rating. Will he be good enough to join Daytona Beach next year? No, but he won't get taken in Rule 5 either so I guess that's where we will have to put him.
The night was a rousing success, not least of which because one or two of these guys are actual real live prospects.
Go Talons!
