Christian, Keuchel First Award Winners Of 2012
April 16, 2012 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1) News Release
ROUND ROCK, Texas - Justin Christian of the Fresno Grizzlies and Dallas Keuchel of the Oklahoma City RedHawks have been named Pacific Coast League Player and Pitcher of the Week for the extended opening week of April 5th-15th, the league office announced today.
Christian has gotten off to scorching start for the Grizzlies, leading the league with 21 hits, eight of which have gone for extra bases. The right-hander has paced the PCL in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage as his remarkable .553/.595/.816 line in nine games is unmatched. His contribution from the leadoff spot, with only three strikeouts in 42 trips to the plate, has helped lead Fresno to an 8-3 record out of the gate.
Christian, 32, is in his tenth professional season since originally playing for the River City Rascals in the Frontier League. After being signed by the Yankees in 2004, Christian progressed through their system before earning his first promotion to the Major Leagues in 2008. In 2011 he hit .338 in 64 games with the Grizzlies before being called up by the Giants in September of 2011.
Keuchel took the mound for two starts last week, posting a record of 2-0 and a perfect 0.00 earned run average as he allowed no runners to cross the plate in his two starts. The 24-year-old held opponents to six hits, all singles, over 13 innings pitched while striking out eight and not walking any batters. On April 7th, the 6'3" lefty shut down Memphis for six innings of two-hit ball, earning the win. Five days later in his April 12th matchup against Nashville, Keuchel one-upped his previous start by going seven shutout innings to extend his scoreless streak to start the season.
Keuchel's 0.46 WHIP leads the league while his .140 batting average against is good for fourth. The Oklahoma native, drafted by the Houston Astros in the 7th round of the 2009 amateur draft, went 10-8 last season in 27 starts between Corpus Christi and Oklahoma City.
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 16, 2012
- Round Rock Express Errors Costly in 3-2 Loss to Iowa Cubs - Round Rock Express
- Sounds Lose Series Finale to Z's, 11-5 - Nashville Sounds
- Redbirds Blank RedHawks - Memphis Redbirds
- Zephyrs Defeat Nashville 11-5 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Padres Stumble in Third, Fall to Salt Lake - Tucson Padres
- Sky Sox Sweep Doubleheader Versus 51s, 2-1 and 3-2 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Round Rock Express Continue Home Stand - Round Rock Express
- Isotopes Drop Series Finale to Storm Chasers, 12-10 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Ramirez Powers Chasers Past Isotopes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Cubs Activate Edgar Gonzalez; Ty Wright to Tennessee - Iowa Cubs
- Aces Launch Unique Rewards Program: The Club - Reno Aces
- Round Rock Express - Game Notes Vs. Iowa Cubs (Chicago Cubs) - Round Rock Express
- RedHawks Game Notes: April 16, 2012 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Christian, Keuchel First Award Winners Of 2012 - PCL1
- Mike Montgomery Autographed Baseball to be Auctioned On-Line to Benefit MiLB Charities - Omaha Storm Chasers
- L.V. 51s Present Girl Scout Night on Friday, May 18 Vs. Memphis Redbirds - Las Vegas Aviators
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.
