The Spuds finished the year in the playoffs for the second straight year, the first time Boise has accomplished that feat in its short history. It was an up and down season but in the end, there was plenty of honors and recognition to handout at the Spuds' 2042 awards ceremony.Dennis French was up to his usual ways, finishing the year third in batting average in the Johnson League at .354 and with the second-highest WAR total in the Johnson, behind only the slugging Juan Rivera. French's 8.0 WAR was his fourth-consecutive season hitting that mark, leading all of the Brewster over that time with 32.4 WAR, well ahead of #2 Dong-po Thum (28.7). French finished second in 2042 Sawyer Silk Award voting for the third-time in his career.
French not only led the league in doubles with 70, but it was the second-highest total in Brewster history, trailing the incredible output of Emile Santos, who clubbed a whopping 86 doubles back in 1986. French also spent the year mostly all in right field after manning center in Boise for the first five years of his career. Despite the move, French played solid defense, earning a handful of Zimmer Award votes for his efforts. In the end, French edged out Félix Román (6.7 WAR, Zimmer Award winner in CF) for the 2042 Most Valuable Potato Award. This is French's fifth time receiving the team honor.
There were a few bright spots on the pitching side in Boise, despite underperforming for the most part of the year, including a no-hitter by Júlio Alicea. However the Spuds likely owe a great deal of their success to reliever Dave Walsh, who kept them in close games and did his part to slam the door shut on several occasions in Boise victories.
Walsh appeared in 66 games this year, earning 18 saves to go along with a 5-3 record. His 2.30 ERA and 0.99 WHIP led the team and was one of just a few pitchers who racked up strikeouts on a regular basis, whiffing 112 batters in 113.1 innings. His breakout year earned a few Johnson League Egan Award votes, but most importantly, his efforts rewarded Walsh as Boise's Pitcher of the Year for 2042. This is Walsh's third time receiving the Award.
Taking a look at the Boise farm system, Spuds fans have a lot to look forward to down the road, despite seeing several top prospects graduate to the big leagues in recent seasons, like Román, Ricardo Ruíz and Robin Cooper, as well as 2042 rookie Pepe Madrid. While there were several standout seasons by the Spuds of tomorrow, none was bigger than that of Pat Alexander. Alexander, 22, spent all of this year in Double-A Weymouth and his bat and glove blossomed. Alexander finished the year with 15 home runs and slashing .269/.432/.436, along with 15 steals as a catcher. His .432 on-base percentage was fourth-highest in all of Double-A. On the year, Alexander was named to the Warren Cox League All-Star Game and ended the season being awarded the Platinum Stick Award as the best offensive catcher in the Drake League. It's believed that Alexander will get every opportunity to make the big league club in spring, but until then, he'll have to enjoy being named the organization's Minor League Player of the Year for 2042.
For historical award records and recognitions, please visit the Boise Spuds Team Almanac.