The FB Awards!
David Ladner Player of the Year: Quintin Marrero Marrero won off the tiebreaking vote that was cast by me, it was a really close race. In his 2nd season, the SS hit an amazing .390 (129-331) with a solid 15 doubles, amazing 10 triples, 25 HR, 72 RBI, and .722 SLG, but what really set him apart was his crazy, just mind-blowing 87 stolen bases. Even crazier, he’s only 24.
Toli Centeno Pitcher of the Year: Brennan Mills: Mills had had a solid career to date, but he had an exceptional campaign, going 9-2 with a minuscule 1.37 ERA and 0.686 WHIP in 105 innings. He also struck out 105 batsmen (1 per inning) and walked just 12. He is currently 27.
Rhett Beltran Reliever of the Year: Jesse Norman: His stats look like a starter’s, but they’re of a very exhausted yet effective reliever. Norman finished last season 10-1 with 1 save with a 2.14 ERA and a 0.842 WHIP in his second season. His K/BB ratio wasn’t on Mills’ level, as he was 74/24 in 101 innings, but his consistency out of the pen was phenomenal.
Victoro Apocada Rookie of the Year: Rowan Kroll: Kroll, was, in my opinion, the best choice for the Pitcher of the Year Award, but oh well, I’m not officially a Committee member. Kroll’s decisions accounted for 36% of Atlanta Blaze’s wins, as the 33-27 dead team went 12-1 in games where he had a decision and 21-26 without him. This guy, who carried his team to the Wild Card, was 12-1 with a 1.63 ERA and 0.776 WHIP, and the rubber arm lasted 116 innings. His K/BB was a marvelous 66 to 9, and after being picked up by the Cobras, the future looks bright for him
Awards history will get updated tomorrow, and Hall of Fame ballot will be sent out tomorrow, plus All Star changes will go out Saturday, stay tuned.