MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Bernard Named MVP, One of Three West Michigan All-Stars

August 25, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The 2014 season just keeps getting better for West Michigan Whitecaps' outfielder Wynton Bernard.

One day after breaking the franchise record for hits in a single season, Bernard was named the 2014 Midwest League MVP on Monday. The 23-year-old - who was released by the San Diego Padres in the spring before landing with the Detroit Tigers in March following an open tryout - joins Robert Fick (1997) and Gorkys Hernandez (2007) as the only three Whitecaps ever to take home the Midwest League's top honor.

Bernard was also one of three Whitecaps named to the league's post-season All-Star Team, an exclusive roster consisting of the top Midwest League player at each position on the diamond. Buck Farmer was named the team's right-handed starting pitcher and Kevin Ziomek was tabbed the top left-handed starting pitcher in the league.

The speedy Bernard has excelled offensively and defensively since revitalizing his career with the Detroit Tigers' organization, setting franchise records for hits in a season with his 159th on Sunday and runs in a game with a five-run performance on July 25 at Clinton. Bernard currently leads the league with a .328 batting average, 89 runs scored and 159 hits while ranking among the league leaders with a .401 on-base percentage (2nd), 217 total bases (2nd) and 44 stolen bases (T-3rd). His impressive line also includes six home runs, 45 RBI and 28 doubles.

His .328 batting average - well ahead of the second-highest mark of .306 - also has Bernard on track to become the first player from West Michigan to win a batting title since Fick in 1997.

Beyond Bernard's breakout campaign, the vaunted Whitecaps' pitching staff was also well-represented on the post-season All-Star Team with the recognition of Farmer and Ziomek.

Farmer made headlines throughout Michigan in August when he went from West Michigan to Detroit in a span of two weeks, becoming the fastest former Whitecap ever to make his Major League debut. The 23-year-old righty from Georgia left the Midwest League in late July with a 10-5 record, a 2.60 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 103.2 innings. At the time, he was leading the league in punch-outs and tied for the league-lead in wins.

Since, Ziomek has taken over the league's top spot for strikeouts while continuing to lower his league-leading ERA. The 22-year-old southpaw out of Vanderbilt is 10-6 with a 2.23 ERA and 145 punch-outs in 117 innings while limiting opposing hitters to a.203 batting average. Ziomek also leads the Midwest League with a rate of 11.15 strikeouts per nine innings - a number that is on track to set a new franchise record.

All of the post-season awards are decided by a vote of league managers. Outside of the All-Star Team and the MVP award, South Bend's Andrew Velazquez was named Prospect of the Year and Kane County's Mark Johnson was named Manager of the Year.

The Whitecaps continue their final road trip of the regular season with a 7:05 p.m. game on Monday night against the South Bend Silver Hawks. RHP Matt Davenport (5-5, 2.88) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Blake Perry (7-6, 4.59) of South Bend. The next home game at Fifth Third Ballpark will feature post-game fireworks on Saturday, August 30, and the Whitecaps are guaranteed at least one home playoff game on Thursday, September 4. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps' front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

Check out the West Michigan Whitecaps Statistics



Midwest League Stories from August 25, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central