ABL Announces All-League Finalists
August 1, 2016 - Alaska Baseball League (Alaska)
Mat-Su Miners News Release
PALMER, Alaska - Although only one Alaska Baseball League (ABL) team can be crowned champion on Sunday, players and coaches across the league can rest assured they won't leave Alaska empty-handed.
ABL president Pete Christopher announced the 2016 All-League finalists on Monday after collecting votes from coaches and media members across the league. The annual list features players from all five ABL programs.
"This year was an exceptional year for pitching in the league, as shown by the offensive stats compiled," Christopher said. "The league had exceptional athletes and there was competitive parity among the five teams. Any team could win on any given day."
Notable finalists included outfielder Steven Sensley and infielder Alan Trejo of the Anchorage Bucs. Sensley earned Player of the Year and Silver Slugger honors after posting a .308 batting average and 27 RBIs, while Trejo won Gold Glove after establishing a .972 fielding percentage through 40 games with the Bucs.
Mat-Su Miners skipper Ben Taylor took home Coach of the Year honors after leading his team to a 25-17 record and securing a first-round hosting site in the ABL playoffs Thursday and Friday.
"The league started the season in a bit of a fix with only five teams after losing the Goldpanners, but the teams left made it work," Christopher said.
Mat-Su outfielder Garrison Schwartz earned Top Hitting Prospect honors after compiling 44 hits and 20 RBIs. Miners closer Jordan Floyd was selected for Top Pitching Prospect after tallying nine saves and establishing a 0.41 ERA.
The ABL playoffs are set to begin on Thursday, with seeding yet to be determined. The Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks were eliminated from playoff contention after a 5-2 loss to the Oilers on Sunday.
"The Alaska Baseball League, once again, proved to be at the top of summer collegiate baseball leagues in the country," Christopher said.
2016 Alaska Baseball League All-League First Team
Catcher - Jonathan Washam (Peninsula Oilers) First Base - Jake Scudder (Mat-Su Miners) Second Base - Levi Jordan (Mat-Su Miners) Shortstop - Alan Trejo (Anchorage Bucs) Third Base - Alex Seifert (Peninsula Oilers) Outfield - Steven Sensley (Anchorage Bucs) Outfield - Hunter Vansau (Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks) Outfield - Garrison Schwartz (Mat-Su Miners) Designated Hitter - Michael Donadio (Mat-Su Miners)
Starting Pitcher - Billy Oxford (Peninsula Oilers) Starting Pitcher - Justin Vernia (Mat-Su Miners) Starting Pitcher - Weston Rivers (Anchorage Glacier Pilots) Starting Pitcher - Justin Mulvaney (Anchorage Bucs) Starting Pitcher - Connor Lungwitz (Anchorage Glacier Pilots) Relief Pitcher - Ryan Lillie (Peninsula Oilers) Relief Pitcher - Gage Burland (Mat-Su Miners) Closer - Jordan Floyd (Mat-Su Miners)
Utility Player - Jacob Hughey (Mat-Su Miners)
Top Hitting Prospect - Garrison Schwartz (Mat-Su Miners) Top Pitching Prospect - Jordan Floyd (Mat-Su Miners)
Player of the Year - Steven Sensley (Anchorage Bucs)
Gold Glove - Alan Trejo (Anchorage Bucs)
Silver Slugger - Steven Sensley (Anchorage Bucs)
Coach of the Year - Ben Taylor (Mat-Su Miners)
2016 Alaska Baseball League All-League Second Team
Catcher - Tyler Walters (Anchorage Glacier Pilots) First Base - Seth DeWitt (Peninsula Oilers) Second Base - Will Bass (Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks) Shortstop - Trey Dawson (Peninsula Oilers) Third Base - Tim Millard (Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks) Outfield - Darius Hill (Peninsula Oilers) Outfield - Joe Gillette (Anchorage Glacier Pilots) Outfield - Michael Donadio (Mat-Su Miners) Designated Hitter - Seth DeWitt (Peninsula Oilers)
Starting Pitcher - Brody Harris (Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks) Staring Pitcher - Jacob Hughey (Mat-Su Miners) Relief Pitcher - Timothy Holdgrafer (Anchorage Glacier Pilots) Relief Pitcher - Preston White (Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks) Closer - Wyatt Mills (Anchorage Bucs)
Utility Player - McCarthy Tatum (Anchorage Bucs)
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Alaska Baseball League Stories from August 1, 2016
- ABL Announces All-League Finalists - Mat-Su Miners
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