Rays of the future honored
RHP Wade Davis was named the Rays minor-league pitcher of the year and OF Ryan Royster the player of the year. Davis had a combined 2.50 ERA between Class A Vero and Double-A Montgomery. Royster, playing for Class A Columnbus, led the organization with a .329 average, 30 homers and 98 RBIs.
Also, 3B Pat Cottrell was named winner of the Erik Walker Community Champion Award, recognizing a player who exemplifies teamwork, sportsmanship and community involvement.
Other players honored Wednesday include:
Justin Ruggiano – Durham Bulls Player of the Year
Jeff Niemann – Durham Bulls Pitcher of the Year
Evan Longoria – Montgomery Biscuits Player of the Year
Chris Mason – Montgomery Biscuits Pitcher of the Year
Rhyne Hughes – Vero Beach Devil Rays Player of the Year
Jake McGee – Vero Beach Devil Rays Pitcher of the Year
Desmond Jennings – Columbus Catfish Player of the Year
Lewis Rollins – Columbus Catfish Pitcher of the Year
Emeel Salem – Hudson Valley Renegades Player of Year
Alex Cobb – Hudson Valley Renegades Pitcher of the Year
Omar Luna – Princeton Rays Player of the Year
Jeremy Hall – Princeton Rays Pitcher of the Year
Ramon Novas – Rays Dominican League Player of the Year
Juan Santana – Rays Dominican League Pitcher of the Year
Julio Cedeno – Rays Venezuelan League Player of the Year
Omar Bencomo – Rays Venezuelan League Pitcher of the Year
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I think Heath Rollins got robbed. Davis was good, but Rollins' 17 wins (tied for the most in minor league baseball and the most ever by a Rays pitcher at any level),2.54 ERA, and 149 strike outs was a better total package. This is especially true if you consider he was lights out in the playoffs. However, I think the best part is that the Rays had so many pitchers have great minor league seasons that we are actually able to debate the winner of this award. If these guys continue to pitch anywhere close to these levels as they move through the system then I think that weak Rays pitching will fix itself.
Posted by: Tony | September 27, 2007 at 12:07 PM
The trouble is Tony that if it doesn't fix itself soon, the core players that are performing well with the parent club will opt for free agency. You think CC, a potential Hall of Famer, is going to toil here in obscurity, waiting for Sternberg to open his wallet?
Posted by: wiggy | September 27, 2007 at 07:23 PM