Gnats Jimmy Fuller Named SAL Most Outstanding Pitcher
Published on September 1, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, GA -The South Atlantic League announced today that Jimmy Fuller was named to the League's 2010 All-Star Team as the team's left-handed pitcher and was named the SAL's "Most Outstanding Pitcher." Savannah Pitching Coach Marc Valdes was recognized as the Coach on the 2010 All-Star team.
The left-handed Fuller finished his time in Savannah with an 8-3 record and a 1.93 ERA in 107.1 innings pitched. He struck out 99 batters and walked just 29. At the time of his promotion to the Florida State League on August 5th, Fuller led all active SAL pitchers in ERA and was seventh in strikeouts. Fuller was one of six Gnats named to the SAL's mid-season All-Star team alongside RHP Brandon Moore, LHP Mark Cohoon, SS Wilmer Flores, CF Juan Lagares and C Kai Gronauer. The Mets drafted Fuller, who turned 23 on June 1, in the 21st round out of Southern Connecticut State in 2008.
Fuller is the first Savannah pitcher named the SAL's "Most Outstanding Pitcher" since Matt Arrandale in 1994. Arrandale was 15-3 with a 1.76 ERA with 121 strikeouts and 21 walks in 19 starts for the Savannah Cardinals in 1994 when Savannah won the League Championship. Arrandale, who, like Fuller was 23 in his "Most Outstanding" season, also earned a mid-season promotion to the Florida State League.
The last Savannah player to win a League-wide "Most Outstanding" honor was 3B Adrian Beltre in 1996 who was honored as the SAL's "Most Outstanding MLB Prospect," in a year Savannah went on to win the League Championship. Beltre, who is in his tenth MLB season, and his first with the Boston Red Sox, hit .307/.406/.586 (AVG/OBP/SLG) with 14 doubles and 16 home runs and 59 RBI in 68 games for Savannah as a 17-year old in 1996.
Valdes, who is in his second year as the Sand Gnats pitching coach, was recognized for his work with the Savannah pitching staff. Voters, including League Field Managers, General Managers, Writers and Broadcasters, select one manager and one coach, including both hitting and pitching coaches, to the All-Star team. Valdes, who was the Florida Marlins number one draft pick in 1993, pitched in the Major Leagues for six years with the Marlins, Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos.
The Gnats return home Friday to host the Asheville Tourists for their final homestand of the 2010 regular season. Friday will be the Gnats' Nine Innings of TV Giveaway where the team will give away one TV per inning, culminating with the grand prize in the ninth inning. KIX96 presents post-game fireworks after Saturday's game. Sunday, Kids Eat Free thanks to Subway and Quality Rock 105.3. The regular season concludes on Labor Day Monday, September 6, on Dollar Monday with first pitch at 12 pm.
The Gnats open the 2010 Playoffs presented by the Tate Law Group, at home on September 10 with a Vuvuzela giveaway. Vuvuzela horns achieved international fame at the FIFA World Cup in 2010 for their loud, unique sound.
For more information, or tickets, please visit sandgnats.com or call (912) 351-9150.
South Atlantic League Stories from September 1, 2010
- Suns Surge of Runs Stand up to Legends - Hagerstown Suns
- Gnats Game Wrap: Gnats Crush Grasshoppers 11-0 - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Hagerstown Jumps on Legends Early, Wins 9-1 - Lexington Legends
- Hagerstown Jumps on Legends Early, Wins 9-0 - Lexington Legends
- Drive Cruise Past RiverDogs, 7-2 - Greenville Drive
- Crawdads Clinch Playoff Spot, Beat Asheville, 10-3 - Hickory Crawdads
- Claws Clinch Second Half Title, Thrash Augusta 14-2 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Drive Step on Gas Early, Fly Past RiverDogs, 7-2 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Crawdads hammer Tourists 10-3; clinch playoff berth - Asheville Tourists
- GreenJackets Run into Situation on Jersey Shore - Augusta GreenJackets
- Copeland Leads 'Birds to 1-0 Shutout of Intimidators - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Birds Blank Intimidators 1-0 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Gnats Game Notes: Wednesday, September 1 at Greensboro - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Flannery Promoted to High-A Tampa; Rodriguez Transferred to Charleston - Charleston RiverDogs
- Towles Elected to Legends Hall of Fame; Ceremony Set for September 3 - Lexington Legends
- Shorebirds Game Notes: September 1 Vs. Kannapolis - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Power Top Braves in Matinee - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Curley Heads to Myrtle Beach - Rome Emperors
- Asheville's Clark, Mesa Named to Year-End SAL All-Star Team - Asheville Tourists
- Greensboro Grasshoppers Donate $10,000 to Teacher Supply Warehouse - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- RiverDogs Infielder Rob Lyerly Named to 2010 SAL Postseason All-Star Team - Charleston RiverDogs
- Gnats Jimmy Fuller Named SAL Most Outstanding Pitcher - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Rome Adds Infielder to Roster - Rome Emperors
- Four BlueClaws on South Atlantic League All-Star Team - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Hazelbaker Named to 2010 SAL Annual All-Star Team - Greenville Drive
- Dominguez, Bucardo Named to SAL All-Star Team - Augusta GreenJackets
- Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
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