Decker, Castro Recognized As Weekâ??s Top Players

May 11, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1) News Release

ROUND ROCK, Texas - Cody Decker of the El Paso Chihuahuas and Simon Castro of the Albuquerque Isotopes had their performances from May 4-10 recognized today by the league office by being named the Pacific Coast League's Player and Pitcher of the Week.

Cody Decker is the first Chihuahua to ever receive a Player of the Week award, after leading the PCL with four home runs, 15 RBIs, and a .893 slugging percentage in six games. The first baseman also held league-highs for the week in extra-base hits (six) and total bases (25). Decker produced two-consecutive four-hit games, starting Friday against Las Vegas. That night he tied his career-high with six RBIs coming from two home runs, including a grand slam in the second inning. He is the only player in the PCL this season with two grand slams, after hitting his first Monday in a 13-6 victory at Fresno. The Los Angeles resident is batting .272 this season and leads the Chihuahuas in home runs (six) and RBIs (21).

Decker, 28, has been with the Padres' organization since 2009, the same year San Diego drafted the UCLA product in the 22nd round of the First-Year Player Draft. The 2015 season is his second with El Paso, and has played a club record 161 games for the Chihuahuas. This is the fourth time he has received a Player of the Week award in his career, with his previous coming in 2012 with the San Antonio Missions of the Texas League.

Simon Castro combined to pitch eight shutout innings over three relief appearances during the week, while owning the best WHIP (0.38) and opponent's average (.074) among PCL relievers. The right-hander allowed just three batters to reach base during that span, by the way of two hits and one walk. He also compiled eight strikeouts, including a season-high five Sunday at Sacramento. That game he kept the River Cats' offense down the final three frames of the 17-inning contest, to pick up his team-leading fourth win. Castro also tossed three scoreless innings against the PCL's top-scoring club, Las Vegas, Tuesday at Isotopes Park. The 27-year-old's ERA sits at 3.57 for the season, while his strikeout total is up to 17.

The native of San Jose de los Llanos, Dominican Republic, is in his first season in the Colorado Rockies' farm system, after signing with the organization on Oct. 15, 2014. He originally signed with San Diego as an international free agent in 2006, before making his major league debut with the Chicago White Sox in 2013. The Pitcher of the Week accolade is the fourth of his career, and his first since he was with San Antonio in 2010. Castro is also the first Isotopes' reliever to ever obtain a weekly honor from the PCL.

Pacific Coast League Stories from May 11, 2015

• Nashville Ties It Late, Loses Finale in Extras - Nashville Sounds
• Pill's Seven Strong Innings Help Las Vegas Win 3-1 Monday - El Paso Chihuahuas
• River Cats Win on Walk-Off Double - Sacramento River Cats
• Sunshine & Sky Sox Baseball Return to Colorado Springs for Nine Games in Eight Days - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
• Late Homers Not Enough To Top Tacoma - Fresno Grizzlies
• Sky Sox Rebound with 13-7 Dismantling of Iowa - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
• Diamondbacks Recall Vidal Nuño from Aces - Reno Aces
• Walk-Off Double Bites Albuquerque in 5-4 Loss at Sacramento - Albuquerque Isotopes
• Rainiers Edge Grizzlies In 9-7 Win, Split Series - Tacoma Rainiers
• Omaha Wins Both Games of Doubleheader with Oklahoma City - Oklahoma City Comets
• Sky Sox 7-Run 8th Inning Helps Topple I-Cubs 13-7 - Iowa Cubs
• Omaha Dominates Dodgers in Doubleheader - Omaha Storm Chasers
• Del Crandall's PCL Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to be Held at Isotopes Park Prior to this Friday' - Albuquerque Isotopes
• Rangers Purchase Contract of Thomas Field; Option Rougned Odor to Round Rock - Round Rock Express
• Reno Escapes Salt Lake for First Series Win - Reno Aces
• Zephyrs, Dodgers Duel for Four Games - New Orleans Baby Cakes
• Error in Extras Proves Costly as Zephyrs Fall - New Orleans Baby Cakes
• Redbirds Walk off over New Orleans in Extra Inning Affair, 2-1 - Memphis Redbirds
• Cody Decker Named PCL Player of the Week - El Paso Chihuahuas
• Decker, Castro Recognized As Weekâ??s Top Players - PCL1
• Simon Castro Named PCL Pitcher of the Week - Albuquerque Isotopes
• Reno Aces Game Information: Reno Aces (13-18) at Salt Lake Bees (12-18) - Reno Aces
• OKC Dodgers Game Notes - May 11, 2015 - Oklahoma City Comets

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