Tyler Garkow toes the rubber at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field during the 2017 season. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)
SONOMA, Calif.– The Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs is proud to announce Sonoma Stompers right-hander Tyler Garkow as the league’s 2017 Pitcher of the Year.
“I am very happy Tyler Garkow is receiving this award. All the hard work pays off on and off the field. Garkow is true professional, so it was a fun watching him every time he pitched for us,” said Stompers manager Takashi Miyoshi.
Garkow, the league leader in strikeouts (97) and ERA (2.56), received 25 more votes than the next-closest contender. In August, he left the Pacific Association to be called up to the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League.
“We’re all doing the best we can and we’re still fighting and scratching and clawing for that dream. I’m just fortunate enough to be one step closer,” Garkow said after his last start as a Stomper. “It doesn’t mean I’m more deserving than anybody else, I just got the opportunity. I just have to make the most of it.”
Garkow’s nearly-100 strikeouts came in just 13 starts for Sonoma. In that span, Garkow did not pitch less than five innings in a start. He recorded 10 or more strikeouts three times.
“The voters got this one right. Tyler was a tremendous asset for us, and a big reason for so much of our success this season. I’m thrilled we were able to have him as long as we did, and I’m even more proud of what he accomplished, and what is in store for him in the future,” said 2017 Stompers President and General Manager Theo Fightmaster.