J.R. House Named California League Manager of the Year
August 21, 2015 - California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release
VISALIA--Rawhide Manager J.R. House was named California League Manager of the Year on Friday, as the League announced their annual end-of-season awards.
House wasn't the only member of Visalia's coaching staff to be recognized, as Pitching Coach Gil Heredia was also named California League Pitching Coach of the Year.
Additionally, Jamie Westbrook (2nd Base) and Anthony Banda (Pitcher) were named to the League's post-season All-Star team.
House is completing his 1st season as Rawhide Manager, and his 2nd managerial season overall. Entering Friday's game, he has guided Visalia to a 75-48 record and the First Half North Division Championship (the club's first in 25 years). His overall 2-year managerial record stands at 123-76 (.618).
This is the 7th time that a Visalia Manager has won the League's Manager of the Year Award in franchise history; House joins Tom Kelly (1979, 1980), Harry Warner (1983), Scott Ullger (1990), Stu Cole (2003), and Joe Szekely (2006) as an honoree.
Heredia, who is in his 3rd season as Visalia's Pitching Coach, has led the Rawhide staff to an outstanding season. Despite playing in a hitter-friendly ballpark, Rawhide pitchers led the League in ERA for most of the season, and still have the 2nd-lowest team ERA on the circuit (just 0.05 points behind the leaders). They've allowed the fewest total runs, compiled the 2nd-most strikeouts, and issued the 3rd-fewest walks. The 'Hide have also led the League in team shutouts with 13.
Westbrook, who turned 20 in June, has improved rapidly over the season; he has batted .338 since the All-Star Break, and has hit a scorching .388 in August, raising his overall season average to .308. He's also clubbed 12 home runs, collected 60 RBIs, and compiled an 830 OPS while defending steadily at 2nd Base.
Banda, who came to the D-backs in last year's Gerardo Parra trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, has also enjoyed an outstanding 2nd Half, posting a 2.73 ERA since mid-June, with a 1.64 ERA in August.
The Rawhide have 17 regular-season games remaining, and are already assured of a playoff spot. They'll face the winner of the First Round mini-series in the Division Finals, beginning on September 12th at Rawhide Ballpark.
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