SONOMA, Calif.– Kenny Meimerstorf takes home the 2018 Pacific Association Rookie of Year title. “This award is incredibly meaningful to me. Going into my first professional season I didn’t know what to expect,” said Meimerstorf. The Nevada native attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas where he spent four years on varsity hitting for a .406 average, 41 home runs, 188 RBIs, and 163 runs scored in 157 games. Kenny’s stellar 2013 Senior season earned him 2nd-team High School All-American.
After Kenny’s spectacular High School stint, he attended and played at the University of Arizona for the 2014 season. Kenny then transferred to the College of Southern Nevada, where he hit .282 in 63 games. Meimerstorf finished his college career at Florida International University.
For the Golden Panthers, Meimerstorf drove in 70 runs, hitting 13 home runs and totaling 38 extra-base hits over his two seasons. Battling a labrum injury in 2017 as a senior Meimerstorf performed at a high level hitting .324 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs, slugging .498.
After a successful 2017 senior season, Meimerstorf signed with the Sonoma Stompers for the 2018 season. For the Stompers, the outfielder homered in eight of his first 20 games as a professional. “Half way through the season when I started to reminisce on how far we’ve come as a team and as a player was truly inspiring. The whole year my goal was to win a championship at the end of the year, but Rookie of The Year was always my second goal. After a year of hard work and dedication I am so happy to receive this award and I’m feeling more driven to work harder for the next season,” said Memierstorf. On June 16th, Meimerstorf hit go ahead grand slam off of former MLB veteran J.P. Howell of the San Rafael Pacifics in a 5-3 victory.
“Kenny showed us a lot of grit this season. Based on his successful track record, we knew what he was capable of. This season was no different,” said General Manager Brett Creamer. The Bishop Gorman product finished second in the Pacific Association in both runs batted in (74) and home runs (23) while playing in 78 of the 80 games.
“His outstanding work ethic on a daily basis showed with his results. Kenny is well deserved for his award and I look forward to watching him grow throughout his career,” said Manager Zack Pace
Kenny Meimerstorf hitting a home run against the San Rafael Pacifics, 2018 in Sonoma, Calif. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)
The 2017 Pacific Association Rookie of the Year winner was Michael Rizzitello of the San Rafael Pacifics who most recently played for the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League in 2018. Meimerstorf is the first Stomper to win the award since Mark Hurley in 2015. “We had such an amazing squad and we were a family on and off the field. We had a great group of guys that loved to compete day in and day out. We constantly pushed each other to be better everyday and that’s why we were the best team that has ever been in the Pacific Association… I am beyond blessed to be a part of the Stompers family,” said Meimerstorf.
Meimerstorf also helped the Stompers walk off twice during the 2018 season. Most notably on July 6th vs. The Napa Silverados where Kenny sent a towering fly ball to left field for his second home run of the game. The post game interview can be found here. “In the upcoming 2019 season my goal is to win a memorable championship and to show up with a winning mentality. I hope to move on to a top tier league to compete for a spot and ultimately move on to affiliated baseball to continue chasing my dreams,” said Meimerstorf.
Sonoma Stompers standout pitcher Tyler Sharp finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting. Sharp’s rookie season consisted of a 6-2 record and a league leading 2.90 ERA. In 80.2 innings pitched, he struck out 79 batters to just 68 hits allowed. The Antelope Valley College alumnus also collected 2 saves.