Dragons announce July Players of the Month

August 13, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release

DAYTON, OHIO-The Dayton Dragons announced the winners today of the 1410 ESPN Radio Hitter and Pitcher of the Month awards. Fans selected the winners through on-line voting at www.daytondragons.com.

Outfielder Byron Wiley was selected as the Dragons Hitter of the Month while right-handed pitcher Jordan Hotchkiss was selected as Pitcher of the Month.

Wiley hit .341 with a team-leading six home runs and 23 RBI during the month of July. His six homers led the Midwest League, while he ranked second in runs batted in. Wiley was second on Dragons with seven doubles and a triple, while he also scored 14 runs. The Tomball, Texas-native was the team leader in on-base percentage (.444), slugging percentage (.637), and OPS (1.082). Wiley had a game for the ages on July 5th at West Michigan, hitting three home runs and notching six RBI. He hit in 23 of 25 games played during the month, raising his season batting average 40 points.

Hotchkiss led the Midwest League with a 1.16 ERA over 23.1 innings pitched. He led all Dragons relievers with 20 strikeouts and posted an impressive .220 opponents' batting average. He made his first professional start on July 31st against Burlington, tossing five scoreless innings. The feat was even more impressive considering Hotchkiss learned he was starting only 30 minutes before game time because the scheduled starter was promoted to Sarasota.

The other nominees for the month of July were Josh Fellhauer and Miguel Rojas for the Hitter of the Month, and Matt Fairel and Curtis Partch for the Pitcher of the Month.

The winning players will be honored at a Player of the Month luncheon on Friday, August 14th at Bob Evans Restaurant on 7400 Miller Lane in Dayton at 12:00 noon. Fans may attend to ask questions to the winning players and receive autographs. The players will be available to the media for interviews.

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