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Craig Clark Named 2009 California League Pitcher of the Year

September 1, 2009 - California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release


SAN JOSE, CALIF - San Jose Giants left-hander Craig Clark was named the 2009 California League Pitcher of the Year on Monday while outfielder Roger Kieschnick was named the 2009 Rookie of the Year. Both will join outfielder Thomas Neal on the 14-man post-season All-Star Team. The Giants and the High Desert Mavericks have two post-season award winners and each team will be represented by three players on the All-Star squad.

Craig Clark was named California League Pitcher of the Year yesterday marking the second consecutive season and third time in the last four years that a Giants hurler has won the award (Kevin Pucetas - 2008, Brian Anderson - 2006). Clark has enjoyed one of the finest seasons in San Jose Giants history posting a 15-2 record and a 3.01 ERA over 24 appearances (23 starts). He has shattered the team record for longest win streak having won his last 14 decisions dating back to May 13. Clark is currently second in the California League in wins, second in ERA and fifth in strikeouts (132) while his 15 victories is also second-most in all of Minor League Baseball. The 25-year old southpaw finished the regular season a perfect 11-0 with a 2.09 ERA in 13 appearances at Municipal Stadium. He also set a Giants record and tied the California League mark by striking out 10 consecutive Stockton Ports' hitters on June 1.

Kieschnick, who is in his first professional season, is currently second in the league with 106 RBI's and tied for fifth with 23 home runs. He's also knocked out 35 doubles, eight triples, stolen nine bases while batting at a .299 clip. The Texas Tech product has climbed the charts in the single-season San Jose Giants record book and is currently tied for third in homeruns and RBI.

Neal, who garnered one of three outfield spots (along with Kieschnick) on the California League Post-Season All-Star team, is fifth in the league with a .333 batting average to go with 22 home runs and 86 RBI's. Neal is also second in on-base percentage (.425), tied for second in runs scored (96), fourth in slugging percentage (.585), fifth in hits (149) and fifth in doubles (39). The San Diego native is currently tied for fifth in home runs in the San Jose Giants single-season record book.

High Desert third baseman Alex Liddi (.348 AVG, 23 HR, 99 RBI) was named league Most Valuable Player while his skipper, Jim Horner, was named Manager of the Year. Horner led the Mavericks to the first-half 2009 Southern Division title with a record of 43-27.

Other players selected to the All-Star Team include: catcher Koby Clemens (Lancaster), first baseman Joe Dunigan (High Desert), second baseman Jason Van Kooten (Modesto), shortstop Beamer Weems (Lake Elsinore), outfielder Jonathan Gaston (Lancaster), designated hitter Scott Van Slyke (Inland Empire), starting pitchers Donald Hume (High Desert) and Alexander Torres (Rancho Cucamonga) and relief pitcher Craig Baker (Modesto).

The Giants are also pleased to announce that Athletic Trainer Yukiya Oba has been selected by his peers as the 2009 California League Minor League Athletic Trainer of the Year. Oba is currently in his fourth season with San Jose and his sixth season in the Giants organization. He was the certified athletic training intern for San Jose during part of the 2004 season after spending the 2003 season as the student athletic training intern in San Francisco. In the 2007 post-season, Oba worked for Hawaii Winter Baseball as athletic trainer for the Waikiki Beach Boys. Oba earned a Master's Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2006. Oba now becomes one of 17 league winners to be considered for Minor League Athletic Trainer of the Year, which will be announced and awarded at the 2009 Baseball Winter Meetings in Indianapolis.

The Giants currently own the best record in the California League at 87-46 with just seven games remaining in the regular season. San Jose has won both the first-half and the second-half for the third time since 2001. The Giants lead the league in team ERA (3.31) and are second in runs scored (756).

By virtue of their first-half title, the Giants have a bye in the first round and will open their quest for a California League championship at home on Saturday, September 12th at 2:00 PM with game one of the best-of-five Northern Division Series. Game two is slated for 6:00 PM on Sunday, September 13th. If necessary, game five will be played on Wednesday, September 16th at 7:00 PM at Municipal Stadium. The 2009 California League Playoffs are proudly brought to you by VTA. Playoff tickets are available by calling (408) 297-1435 or by visiting www.sjgiants.com.

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