Five Suns Earn Post-Season Honors
Published on September 2, 2010 under Southern League (SL1)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp News Release
Jacksonville, FL - Suns RH Tom Koehler was named the Southern League's Most Outstanding Pitcher while 3B Matt Dominguez, SS Osvaldo Martinez, Utility Man Vinny Rottino and RH Elih Villanueva were all named to the Southern League's 2010 Postseason All-Star Team. Carolina Mudcats outfielder Dave Sappelt was awarded the Southern Leagues Most Valuable Player Award.
Koehler threw consistently all season long and was able to win against seven out of nine teams in the league. So far he has tossed in 152.2 innings where he has managed 139 strikeouts, the second best in the league. He currently has a 2.71 ERA, the third lowest in the league. Most impressive is his winning record of 16-2, an astounding .889 winning percentage. It ties the Jacksonville franchise record and is four behind the Southern League Record of twenty, set by Manly Johnston in 1964. Koehler will attempt to set the all-time Jacksonville record when he goes for his 17th win on Sunday. The Most Outstanding Pitcher Award is akin to the MLB "Cy Young" Award.
Born and raised in Bronx, NY, Koehler attended Stony Brook University and was selected by the Marlins in the 2008 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft.
The Suns were also well represented on the Southern League Postseason All-Star Team with four selections. Matt Dominguez was selected as the third baseman after a stellar, year-long defensive performance and amassing 14 homeruns and 76 RBI's with a .251 average.
Joining him in the infield is shortstop Osvaldo Martinez with a .302 batting average, 5 homeruns, 51 RBI's and 12 stolen bases.
Vinny Rottino was selected as the utility man. Rottino spent most of his time behind the plate as catcher but also saw sporadic time in the outfield and at first base. He currently holds a .304 average with 8 homeruns and 67 RBI's.
Ace RH Elih Villanueva was also selected after earning a Southern League Player of the Week award along with being named the Marlins Pitcher of the Month for July. Villanueva has a 14-4 record with a 2.17 ERA and the second most wins in the league behind teammate Tom Koehler.
The Postseason All-Star Team is voted upon by Southern League field managers, radio broadcasters and print media. The full All-Star Team roster is as follows:
Most Valuable Player Dave Sappelt Carolina
Most Outstanding Pitcher Tom Koehler Jacksonville
Catcher Robinson Chirinos Tennessee
First Base Johan Limonta West Tenn
Second Base Brett Lawrie Huntsville
Third Base Matt Dominguez Jacksonville
Shortstop Osvaldo Martinez Jacksonville
Outfield Tony Campana Tennessee
Outfield Collin Cowgill Mobile
Outfield Brandon Guyer Tennessee
Outfield Dave Sappelt Carolina
Designated Hitter Corey Smith Chattanooga
Utility Man Vinny Rottino Jacksonville
Best Hustler Tony Campana Tennessee
Righthanded Pitcher Elih Villanueva Jacksonville
Lefthanded Pitcher Tom Cochran Carolina
Relief Pitcher Matt Gorgen Montgomery
Southern League Stories from September 2, 2010
- Barons Shut Out Mudcats 8-0 - Carolina Mudcats
- Diamond Jaxx Magic Number Reduced to One After 4-2 Win Over Braves - Jackson Generals
- BayBears Leap Closer to Playoffs, Beat Lookouts - Mobile BayBears
- D-Jaxx Take Rubber Game of Three Game Series - Mississippi Braves
- Dancy Wins Manager of the Year Award - Knoxville Smokies
- Smokies Fall in Finale to Jacksonville Thursday, 6-2 - Knoxville Smokies
- Biscuits & Rays Extend Partnership - Montgomery Biscuits
- Cowgill Named Team MVP to Headline BayBears Award Winners - Mobile BayBears
- Carolina's Dave Sappelt Named Southern League's Most Valuable Player - SL1
- Carolina's Sappelt Named SL MVP - Carolina Mudcats
- Hand Wins Double-A Debut as Suns Defeat Smokies, 6-2 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Stars Open Final Home Stand of Regular Season Friday - Huntsville Stars
- LHP Tom Cochran Moves up to Louisville - Carolina Mudcats
- Dan Nelson to Myrtle Beach and Cole Miles to Mississippi - Mississippi Braves
- Five Suns Earn Post-Season Honors - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
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