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October 25, 2017 - Southern League (SL1)
Chattanooga Lookouts News Release
MINNEAPOLIS - The Twins named catcher Mitch Garver and right-hander Aaron Slegersas the organization's Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Year, respectively, the club announced Wednesday.
Garver is the Sherry Robertson Award winner, while Slegers is the Jim Rantz Award winner. Both will be honored at the annual BBWAA Diamond Awards dinner at Target Field on Jan. 18.
Ranked the Twins' No. 23 prospect, Garver hit .291/.387/.541 with 17 homers, 29 doubles and 45 RBIs in 88 games with Triple-A Rochester. He also played 23 games with the Twins, hitting .196/.288/.348 with a double and three triples. The 26-year-old made four starts at catcher, three at first base and one in left field while serving as designated hitter three times.
Garver is expected to be the club's backup catcher to veteran Jason Castro next season.
Slegers, a 6-foot-10 right-hander, went 15-4 with a 3.40 ERA in 24 starts with Triple-A Rochester. He struck out 119, walked 29 and allowed 11 homers in 148 1/3 innings. He pitched well in his Major League debut against the Indians on Aug. 17, allowing two runs on two hits over 6 1/3 innings.
His made his final start on Sept. 30, allowing three runs on three hits over 4 1/3 innings, and the 25-year-old his time in the Majors helped his confidence. He's likely to open next year at Triple-A Rochester, giving the Twins some rotation depth.
"Mentally, it helps that what I'm doing is working," Slegers said. "In terms of my program, keeping it the same. Doing what I did last year."
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