Stompers Sign Four Out Of California Winter League

Marcus Blackmon Jr. (left) signed with the Stompers in February. He was named the North Star Athletic Association’s gold glover winner and all-conference for the University of Jamestown baseball team.

John M. Steiner/Sun File Photo

Over the past few years, the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club’s annual pilgrimage to Palm Springs, Calif. to scout the California Winter League has netted some nice returns.

In 2014 the team used the scouting trip to sign the man who would make the first start in franchise history, Will Scott, and acquired two-year starter, Eric Schwieger. The following year saw Palm Springs produce second baseman Yuki Yasuda, as well as the man who would become the team’s eventual manager, Takashi Miyoshi.

Though the results of this spring’s harvest have yet to bear fruit, the club is excited about the signing of four young hopefuls. Catcher Marcus Blackmon Jr., left-handed pitcher Landon Hunt, utility player Masahiro Miyadera, and outfielder Ethan Szabo all agreed to terms with the Stompers.

“It’s a delicate balance, building a roster at this level, and at this time of year,” said Stompers GM Theo Fightmaster. “We spent a lot of time watching these players, speaking with scouts and coaches who have seen them play even more than we had, and spent time with these young men in an effort to teach them about the Stompers, Sonoma, and gauge what kind of people they are.

"In every instance, we’re optimistic about what they all can do for the ball club, and our community.”

Blackmon Jr, is a right-handed hitting catcher and graduate of the University of Jamestown in North Dakota. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Oregon native received was a 2015 First- Team All-Conference player in the North Star Athletic Association (NAIA), and also earned was the recipient of the conference’s Gold Glove for catcher. During his college career, he threw out 57-percent of would-be base stealers.

In the CWL, Blackmon hit .379 (11 for 29), drove in eight runs, scored seven times while leading the Toronto Rush to the CWL championship, earning him rave reviews from Los Angeles Dodger Special Assignment Scout, Barry Moss, as well as Jamestown head coach Tom Hager.

“(Marcus) is a first class kid and I will do anything I can to help him out. Marcus is one of the most talented catchers I have ever worked with,” Hager said in an email. “He is very athletic, has a great arm, and definitely knows how to lead a pitching staff. … I think he could be a great fit for (the Stompers).”

Hunt, 24, a 6-foot tall, left-handed hurler, is a product of Long Beach State University (the Alma mater of former Stompers Matt Hibbert and Brennan Metzger). With the Dirtbags, Hunt was used primarily as a lefty specialist, and in 2012 he didn’t allow a hit in his final four appearances.

In 13 1/3 innings in Palm Springs, Hunt was 1-1 with a 1.58 ERA. In three starts he struck out 23 batters, and walked just four. Opponents in the CWL hit just .216 against him and he furnished a WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched) of 1.13.

Miyadera under Miyoshi’s in the CWL, and has enjoyed stints in the CanAm League (Trois Rivieras Aigles), the Pecos League as well as professionally in Japan. In 29 at bats in the CWL, Myadera had 12 hits (.353) with four walks, three doubles, scored eight runs and stole three bases while playing all over the field.  

Szabo – 6-foot-2, 230 pounds – is a resident of Delaware and product of Glenville State in West Virginia. He started 38 games in 2014, with a .278 average and a dozen extra-base hits, and an on-base percentage of .333. Last summer, Szabo played in the short-lived Ozarks Baseball League, where he was a two way player (pitcher and outfield). He is following in his father’s footsteps in an athletic sense. Gerry Szabo was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys and has spent more than 40 years coaching and teaching.

These signings come in advance of the first Pacific Association tryout, that will be held Saturday, March 12-13 at Peterson Field in Sonoma. While the Stompers will serve as host, each team from the league will be in attendance to scout and sign players. More than 35 players have been signed to pro contracts out of these tryouts the last two years. All interested can register by clicking here.

The Stompers open the season May 31, 2016, and start their home season in Sonoma on Tuesday, June 7, at 6 p.m. against the Vallejo Admirals.

Full Season tickets, mini-plans and partial season tickets are on sale on our website, www.stompersbaseball.com, or at the Stompers Fan Shop, located at 234 West Napa Street in Sonoma. Group events and Group Tickets are also available now. Please email jack@stompersbaseball.com, or call 707.938.7277 for questions and more information.

Pacific Association Announces 2016 Regular Season Schedule

The Sonoma Stompers celebrate their first-half championship in July of 2015. The Stompers went on to the franchise's first ever championship game last August.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club has received the final regular season schedule from the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs. The season will consist of 78 total games, 39 at the Stompers home, Arnold Field, and 39 on the road.

The home schedule begins with a three-game series starting Tuesday June 7, 2016 through Thursday, June 9.

For the first time in team history, the Stompers will host a game on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19, at 5 p.m.

The Stompers will be home Friday, July 1 through Monday, July 4 for a four-game Fourth of July Extravaganza with the San Rafael Pacifics and the Pittsburg Diamonds. The home schedule comes to a close with a mid-week series, August 23-25 versus Vallejo.

Home games start at 6 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday, and start at 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The lone scheduled exception is Monday, July 4, when the first pitch is slated for 5:30 p.m. in order for fans to watch the World Famous Sonoma Fireworks from the field after the game.

In the Stompers third season, and the fourth for the Pacific Association, Sonoma will host 21 week night games, and 18 weekend matches.

As in past seasons, the Pacific Association’s champion will be determined with a one-game playoff between the winners of the first half and the second half winner. If the same team wins both halves, it will be crowned the league champion. The team with the best full season record will host the Championship Game on the evening of Monday, Aug. 29.

Full Season tickets, mini-plans and partial season tickets are on sale on our website, www.stompersbaseball.com, or at the Stompers Fan Shop, located at 234 West Napa Street in Sonoma. Group events and Group Tickets are also available now. Please email jack@stompersbaseball.com, or call 707.938.7277 for questions and more information.

Stompers Re-Sign 2015 Rookie Of The Year Mark Hurley

Mark Hurley, the 2015 Pacific Assoc. Rookie of the Year has be re-signed by the Sonoma Stompers. The Hollister, CA native also earned defensive Player of the Year honors.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Theo Fightmaster, General Manager

In the first official move of the New Year, the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club has re-signed 2015 Pacific Association Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the year, Mark Hurley.

“I would like to thank the Stompers for giving me the opportunity to return to Sonoma,” said Hurley, who hit .302, with nine homers and led the club with 51 RBIs. “I’m excited to come back to Sonoma and play for a great organization, in front of an amazing fan base.

“I’m also looking forward to getting back to work with (our manager Takashi Miyoshi) and the rest of the team.”  

The 23-year-old rookie impressed with a .362 OBP, slugged .466 for an OPS of .828, he also stole 11 bases and scored 61 runs in 2015, serving as a staple of the club that started the season 18-3 en route to a first-half league title. But the Cal State Monterey Bay product was just as stout in the outfield, handling 106 of 109 chances, with a league-best six outfield assists while playing both corner outfield positions.

Hurley edged out a field of deserving candidates vying for the honors for the 2015 Pacific Association Rookie of the Year, including his teammates, right-handed pitcher Sean Conroy, first baseman, Daniel Baptista.

“Mark is the epitome of the type of player we want here in Sonoma,” said Theo Fightmaster, the Stompers Vice President and General Manager. “He’s a fantastic ballplayer and an even better young man. And if what he did last season is any indication of his talents, he has a bright future ahead of him.”

The 2016 Pacific Association schedule is nearing completion, and 2016 Season Ticket Plans are currently on sale at the Stompers Fan Shop, located at 234 West Napa Street in Sonoma. For questions or info, please call 707.938.7277. 

Stompers Pitcher In Cooperstown

Isaac Wenrich, left, and Sean Conroy at the Baseball Hall of Fame Museum's Today's Game exhibit, which features Conroy's June 25 start as a pro baseball's first openly gay active player.

Sean Conroy/Family Photo

Originally Published: Sonoma Index-Tribune

Christian Kallen, Index-Tribune Staff Reporter

It’s not every small- market independent league baseball team that can claim a Hall-of-Famer, but for a few months at least, the Sonoma Stompers are represented in Cooperstown.

Last month the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, the fabled repository of the National Game’s finest moments, updated their “Today’s Game” display – documenting the highlights of the sport over the past year – and included the line-up card for the Stompers vs. Vallejo Admirals game of June 25, 2015.Starting pitcher was Sean Conroy, who thereby became the first openly gay active baseball player in the professional sport. Although usually a reliever, he tossed a complete game shut-out to win 4-0, celebrating National Pride Day with a memorable moment in sports.

The Today’s Game case is in a newly re-modeled section of the Hall of Fame, known as “A Whole New Ball Game,” covering the years since 1970, according the Brad Horn, the Museum’s Vice President for Communications and Education. “It’s where we show achievements from the recent year or the last couple of years,” Horn told the Index-Tribune.Stompers general manager Theo Fightmaster appreciates Conroy for more than just that one game, however. “He was competitive from the first pitch he threw in spring training, and put together one of the best seasons this league has ever seen by a pitcher,” he said, noting that Conroy won the league’s most valuable relief pitcher vote for the season as well.Other memorabilia on display in the current Today’s Game case include the bat Alex Rodriguez used to homer for his 2,000 RBI, the red Phillies cap Cole Hamels wore when he threw a no-hitter against the Cubs on July 25, the jersey Mike Hessman of the Toledo Mud Hens wore when he hit his record 433rd minor league home run (shades of “Bull Durham”).

More esoteric collectibles include a faux “rookie card” for Pope Francis celebrating his September visit to Philadelphia – and that signed lineup card, with a photo of Conroy hurling toward victory, and a place in the Hall of Fame.

“The reason that piece was of interest to our team and the curators, and has a place on display now, is that it continues to show the world that baseball is about inclusion,” said Horn. “It certainly is a notable mark whether it’s at the independent level, the minor league affiliate level or the major league level to show that baseball is a game played by all for all to enjoy.”“He rose to the occasion, and then some,” said Fightmaster of Conroy’s June 25 start. “He struck out 11, allowed just three hits and pitched a complete-game shutout to earn a win in his first start as a professional.

“It was maybe the highlight of the year, and will endure as one of the best moments in franchise history.” The Today’s Game exhibit is always in flux, so once the 2016 season starts and the no-hitters and historic homers start again, the Sean Conroy exhibit may be phased out – but it will remain in the archives until the time comes when it’s once again relevant.

Ironically, when Conroy and family dropped by the Baseball Hall of Fame over Thanksgiving weekend, they found another group paying particular interest in the Today’s Game exhibit. It turned out to be Isaac Wenrich and family– the former Stomper who caught the historic game.

The two posed for family photos and went their separate ways – Wenrich home to Pennsylvania, Conroy to history.

Email Christian at christian.kallen@sonomanews.com

Stompers Announce 2016 Summer Baseball Camps Schedule

There is more to a baseball team than box scores and pennant drives. The Sonoma Stompers are stewards of the game, and wish to grow the game with the youth in our community. Stompers Baseball Clinics are a great way for your son or daughter to learn the important elements of the great game of baseball while having a ton of fun while learning from their favorite Stompers players.

In 2016 the Stompers plan to host two baseball camps:

Session I: June 13-16
Session II: July 11-14

As a treat for those who sign up for the first session, former Major League All-Star first baseman JT Snow will be present on Wednesday, June 15 to help run that day's camp ahead of his appearance that night during Sonoma's home game against the San Rafael Pacifics.

Both sessions will run from 10 am until 2 pm each day, Monday through Thursday. Players should bring their own lunch, equipment and sun block.  The Clinics are designed for Kids aged 8 to 16 years old, and they will be coached by Stompers players.  Each kid will also receive a certificate on the last day of the Clinic which will entitle them to two complimentary tickets to a Stompers game during the 2016 season.  Please note, there will be a few excluded dates for these complimentary tickets.

Registration is $189 per player for the four days and the two complimentary tickets. Sibling discounts are available. If a family has two kids in the household and both want to attend, the price is $159 each. 

The Skills Clinic is a perfect gift for a kid who loves the game, or is just learning about the great game of baseball.  If you would like to give a Gift Certificate for the Clinic to a kid, just stop in the Fan Shop at 234 W. Napa Street or call Jack at 707-938-7277 ext. 12.

Stompers Add Stone To Club's Front Office

Jonathan Stone brings more than 25 years of sales and marketing experience to Stompers front office.

Staff Photo/Sonoma Stompers

The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club has introduced Jonathan Stone to serve as the team’s Director of Sponsorship Sales.

Stone, who worked for the Stompers’ Guest Services Department during the 2015 season brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm after a long career in marketing and advertising to companies throughout North America.

“Jonathan did a fantastic job for us as part of our fan experience team last summer, and we think he’ll do great in this capacity as well,” team vice president and general manager Theo Fightmaster said. “He showed great concern for our fans at the ballpark, and I’m sure that passion will translate to the type of relationship he’ll forge with our partners and sponsors.”

In 1988 Stone founded Another Dancing Bear Productions, a nationally recognized leader in the promotional advertising industry. In 2014 he sold his San Francisco business of 26 years and moved to Sonoma with the idea of retiring to the good life. But the strong desire to work and good baseball lured him to the Stompers. Stone has been with the organization since the spring of 2015, helping the team with day of the game events, marketing, merchandising and advertising. This new role will get him out into the community including all of Sonoma County. 

In San Francisco, Stone served on the Board of Directors for the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce as well as many other business, charitable and non-profit organizations. He has already jumped in representing the team in a number of Sonoma related projects.

The Newton, Mass. native currently resides in Schellville. He has one son away at college.

To reach Jonathan Stone, call 707.938.7277, ext. 12, or email him at jstone@stompersbaseball.com.

For more information, visit StompersBaseball.com, or call 707.938.7277.

Stompers Sean Conroy Voted Pacific Association's Top Relief Pitcher

Stompers rookie right-handed pitcher Sean Conroy was one of the best stories in the Pacific Association in 2015, and he was voted the league's best relief pitcher.

Danielle Putonen/Sonoma Stompers

Theo Fightmaster, General Manager

Sonoma Stompers right-handed pitcher Sean Conroy enjoyed an historic 2015 season. And after being voted the Pacific Association’s top defender off the mound, he’s earning even more hardware. On Wednesday, Conroy was named league’s top relief pitcher for the 2015 season.

Conroy, 23, of Clifton Park, New York, pitched in 22 games for Sonoma and was outstanding in his first year of professional baseball. The rookie tallied a 5-3 record with a 2.70 ERA, including 10 saves (second in the league among qualified pitchers), and a remarkable strikeout-to-walk ratio of 52-15. Opposing batters hit just .192 against him with a WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched) of 0.950, tops in the league among pitchers who pitched at least 20 innings.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound was a true asset to the Stompers, pitching in a variety of roles. In addition to his four starts, Conroy appeared out of the bullpen 18 times, earning three wins along with his 10 saves. In the second half, Conroy was used in a “fireman’s” role, pitching multiple innings of relief after coming in at the game’s most critical point – not simply in the final inning.

When opposing hitters put the ball in play against Conroy, their luck didn’t change much. They accumulated a meager .202 batting average in those at-bats. His component ERA, (ERC is a baseball statistic invented by famed baseball statistician Bill James, and attempts to forecast a pitcher's earned run average from the number of hits and walks allowed rather than the standard formula of average number of earned runs per nine innings). Using that metric, Conroy was the second best pitcher in the Association with an ERC of 1.986, and best among pitchers who pitched at least 20 innings.

Conroy garnered international attention in late June becoming the first openly gay active professional baseball player. Conroy then made his first career start on the team’s Pride Night in spectacular fashion. Conroy threw a complete game shutout against the Vallejo Admirals, allowing only three hits and striking out 11, leading the Stompers to a 7-0 victory in front of a packed house and hordes of reporters, and television cameras.

The award signifies a continued theme of Stompers representation. The team saw seven of it's players voted the best defenders at their positions, and outfielder Mark Hurley was voted the league's rookie of the year.

The voting body for the league was comprised of front office personnel, managers, coaches and broadcasters. Voters selected the top two defensive players by position. The league will announce more awards based on the following schedule:

Manager of the Year: Monday, October 26
Pitcher of the Year: Wednesday, October 28
Most Valuable Player: Monday, November 2

Boston Red Sox Sign Former Sonoma Stompers OF Jayce Ray

Sonoma’s Jayce Ray, seen sliding safely into home plate during a Stompers 2014 home game at Arnold Field, has had his contract acquired by the Boston Red Sox.

Staff Photo/Sonoma Stompers

Theo Fightmaster, General Manager

The contract of former Sonoma Stompers outfielder and Sonoma Valley High graduate, Jayce Ray, has been purchased by the Boston Red Sox organization, the American Association announced on Tuesday.

In 2015, his first season with the independent American Association’s Wichita Wingnuts, Ray led his team with a .310 average and 17 stolen bases, to go along with 15 doubles, 35 RBI and 57 runs scored as the Wingnuts won their fifth consecutive division championship.

In 2014, Ray was an instrumental part of the Stompers inaugural season, where he was named the Pacific Association’s MVP, as well as winning the league’s batting championship. Ray hit .355 with 44 RBI in 64 games for Sonoma. He also belted eight homers, scored 62, and had 27 extra-base hits, while drawing 46 walks with 23 stolen bases.

He joined Windy City of the Frontier League in 2013 after playing collegiately at the University of Washington, where he earned honorable mention all-Pac-12 honors after leading the Huskies in hits, at bats, triples, and stolen bases in his junior year.

"This is a big step for Jayce, who I couldn't more happier for, and who I'm incredibly proud of," Stompers VP and GM, Theo Fightmaster said. "It's also a great sign that our league has been signing and developing legitimate ballplayers. I hope more guys can follow in Jayce's footsteps."

Stompers Hurley Named 2015 Pacific Assoc. Rookie of the Year

Sonoma Stompers outfielder, Mark Hurley, was named the 2015 Pacific Association's Rookie of the Year.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Theo Fightmaster, General Manager

With a field of deserving candidates vying for the honors for the 2015 Pacific Association Rookie of the Year, it was Sonoma Stompers outfielder Mark Hurley who came away with the most votes, and the award.

In an airtight ballot, Hurley edged out teammate right-handed pitcher Sean Conroy, who himself narrowly inched out Pittsburg Diamonds third baseman, Rich Mejia. Stompers first baseman, Daniel Baptista, finished fourth.

Hurley, who played collegiate baseball at Cal State Monterrey Bay State, appeared in 74 games with Sonoma, leading the Stompers with 51 RBI, a .302 batting average (90 for 298), belted nine home runs, scored 61 times, and stole 11 bases.

The 23-year-old rookie impressed with a .362 OBP, slugged .466 for an OPS of .828. Hurley, also earned top defensive honors for his play in left field. The Hollister, Calif. native handled 106 of 109 chances. Primarily a left fielder, the Hollister, Calif. Native was perfect in right (20 putouts in 20 chances). Hurley also had a league best six outfield assists.

“It wouldn’t have happened without my teammates, coaches, the entire Stompers front office, and the people of Sonoma,” Hurley said. “I’m grateful and I thank everyone for this honor.”

Conroy, 23, of Clifton Park, New York, pitched in 22 games for Sonoma, and made an impact with his quick reactions off the mound. Conroy was perfect with the leather, tallying five assists and recording 13 putouts without making an error. Conroy, a rookie, was outstanding in his first year of professional baseball, going 5-3 with a 2.70 ERA, including 10 saves, and a remarkable strikeout-to-walk ratio of 52-15. Opposing batters hit just .192 against him with a WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched) of 0.950.

Mejia hit .290 in 75 games for Pittsburg. The third baseman belted four homers, 11 doubles, drove in 38 runs and scored 40 while carrying an OBP of .366.

The voting body was comprised of league front office personnel, managers, coaches and broadcasters. Voters selected the top two defensive players by position. The league will announce more awards based on the following schedule:

Reliever of the Year: Wednesday, October 21
Manager of the Year: Monday, October 26
Pitcher of the Year: Wednesday, October 28
ost Valuable Player: Monday, November 2

Seven Stompers Selected Defensive Players Of The Year

TJ Gavlik's fantastic defense at multiple positions made him one of seven Stompers to receive a Defensive Player of the Year award.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Theo Fightmaster, General Manager

The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club was statistically the best defensive team in the Pacific Association during the 2015 regular season. And now the club has some the hardware to prove it after the league announced the Defensive Players of the Year for the 2015 season. Seven of the nine awards were given to Stompers players. The recipients of the Defensive Players of the Year awards were recognized and voted on by the managers, coaches and front offices of the league as the top defenders at each position.

Pitcher Sean Conroy, catcher Isaac Wenrich, first baseman Daniel Baptista, second baseman Yuki Yasuda, third baseman T.J. Gavlik, and outfielders Mark Hurley and Matt Hibbert were honored for their defensive talents.

The individual awards match the numbers, as Sonoma led the league in defense. As a team, the Stompers committed just 77 errors in 2,813 total chances, good enough for a team fielding percentage of .973. San Rafael was second with a .965 clip having committed 102 errors in 2,930 chances.

Conroy, 23, of Clifton Park, New York, pitched in 22 games for Sonoma, and made an impact with his quick reactions off the mound. Conroy was perfect with the leather, tallying five assists and recording 13 putouts without making an error. Conroy, a rookie, was outstanding in his first year of professional baseball, going 5-3 with a 2.70 ERA, including 10 saves, and a remarkable strikeout-to-walk ratio of 52-15. Opposing batters hit just .192 against him with a WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched) of 0.950.

Wenrich appeared in 54 games with Sonoma before his promotion to the Florence Freedom of the Frontier League. He amassed a .990 fielding percentage, committing just four errors in 408 chances. In his third season in the Pacific Association, Wenrich had his best year yet, batting .296 with 10 homers, 33 RBIs and an OBP of .365.

Baptista, Yasuda and Gavlik were recognized as the league’s top first baseman, second baseman and third baseman, respectively.

Baptista, a 6-foot-5, Fairfield, Calif. Native proved nearly as valuable with the leather as he did with his bat. With a fielding percentage of .985, Baptista converted 317 putouts, and had 16 assists, committing only five errors in 338 chances in 42 games at first base. The left-handed-hitting rookie hit .321 with six homers, drove in 41 runs, reached base at a .386 clip and tallied an OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) of .811. Prior to the 2015 season, Baptista had only accumulated 30 at bats in the pro ranks.

In his freshman campaign with the Stompers, Yasuda willed his way into the lineup, then proved to be one of the best all-around players in the league in 2015. In 56 games, the native of Yokohama, Japan, was errorless in 176 chances at the keystone. Yasuda batted .307 (seventh best in the league) with a .448 OBP, and his 16 stolen bases (18 attempts) were fourth most in the league. He also drew 40 walks, the third most in the Pacific Association, and was hit by a league-high 12 pitches.

Gavlik, in his second year in Sonoma, was one of the most versatile players on the Stompers roster. But it was his play at the hot corner where he distinguished himself. In 92 chances, Gavlik made just six errors, and the Hong Kong native was even better around the rest of the field. While playing third, short stop, second base and both left and right field, Gavlik committed seven miscues in 133 chances, good for a .955 fielding percentage.

In 50 games, Gavlik hit .235 with a .444 slugging percentage, including three homers and 15 RBIs. The product of North Florida University drew 20 walks, and scored 24 runs.

Mark Hurley and Matt Hibbert (left field and right field) rounded out the winners, and were staples in the Stompers first-half championship run. Hurley, who played collegiately at Cal State Monterey Bay State, appeared in 74 games, and handled 106 of 109 chances. Primarily a left fielder, the Hollister, Calif. Native was perfect in right (20 putouts in 20 chances). Hurley also had a league best six outfield assists.

Hibbert, another Stompers returner, was sensational in every facet for Sonoma. Not the least of which was his defense. The Chandler, Ariz. native and Long Beach State product, was superlative in the outfield, making only one error in 139 chances, a .993 fielding percentage, and added four outfield assists. After starting the season as the right fielder, Hibbert moved to center and was just as good.

“I’m incredibly proud of these guys, and our organization as a whole,” said Stompers Vice President and General Manager, Theo Fightmaster. “They are deserving of this recognition, and every one of them was an integral part to the success we enjoyed this season.”

The San Rafael Pacifics Daniel Gonzalez, short stop, and Zack Pace, centerfield, rounded out the field of recipients.

The voting body was comprised of league front office personnel, managers, coaches and broadcasters. Voters selected the top two defensive players by position. The league will announce more awards over the coming weeks.