IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Hague Named 2011 Indians Most Valuable Player

Published on September 3, 2011 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS --All-Star first baseman Matt Hague has been named the 2011 Indianapolis Indians Most Valuable Player, after turning in a historic season during which he has already collected the fourth most hits for a Tribe batter over the last 40 years. The right handed slugger, who along with hits also leads the Indians in games played, at bats, runs, doubles, total bases and walks, will receive a custom-made ring courtesy of Windsor Jewelry before tonight's home finale.

RHP Jared Hughes (Rookie of the Year), LHP Justin Wilson (Most Valuable Starting Pitcher), OF Gorkys Hernandez (Defensive Player of the Year) and LHP Justin Thomas (Henry Smock Relief Pitcher of the Year) will also be honored prior to tonight's home finale. INF Jordy Mercer has also been named the Indians August Player of the month and will receive a custom-made watch courtesy of Windsor Jewelry before tonight's contest against Louisville.

Hague, who has spent the entire 2011 season with Triple-A Indianapolis, has already established single-season career-highs in games played (139), at bats (526), hits (162) and doubles (37). The 162 hits for the infielder, who was also voted to International League's Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star Teams, are the fourth most for an Indians' batter over the last 40 years and second most during the Victory Field era (since 1996).

The Washington native continues to pace the IL with his 162 base knocks through his League high 139 games played, while also ranking third in doubles and total bases (240). Hague also had one of the best months ever by an Indianapolis hitter in the month of June, batting .402 with 17 runs, 11 doubles, five homers and 17 RBI in 28 contests for the Tribe.

Hughes, who began the year with Double-A Altoona, shined right away in his relief role with Indianapolis after being promoted on June 10, accumulating a 1.65 ERA (3 ER in 16.1 IP) in his first 15 appearances. Overall in 34 appearances out of the bullpen for the Tribe, Hughes has compiled a 3-1 record and a team-best 2.16 ERA.

In his time with the Indians, the right-hander has not given a run in 26 of his 34 outings, while also allowing just four of the 27 runners he inherited to score. The California resident's 2.16 ERA this year is also tenth in the International League among relievers with 30 or more appearances this year.

Wilson played the entire year with Triple-A Indianapolis, pitching mostly as a starter until begin converted to the team's closer in the final month. Wilson recorded a team-high ten wins for the Tribe this year, which also currently ranks in a tie for fifth in the International League.

At one point between May 12 to June 12, Wilson accumulated a 6-0 record and 4.03 ERA (17 ER in 38.0 IP) in a span of seven starts en route to becoming the International League's first eight-game winner of the year. Overall this season, Wilson has gone 10-8 with a 4.00 ERA in 29 outings, fanning 93 batters in 123.2 innings of work.

Hernandez also spent the entirety of 2011 with the Tribe and was superb as the everyday center fielder for the Tribe, setting a new single-season career-high with 11 outfield assists on the year. During the 2011 season, the Venezuela native has committed just four errors in 309 total chance and was also recognized by Baseball America as having the International League's "Best Outfield Arm."

The 23-year-old in 122 contests this year also has posted a .281 batting average, adding 47 runs, 24 doubles and 20 stolen bases, while tying for first in the league with nine triples this year. The nine three-baggers also bested his previous single-season career-high of six in 2008 while he was with Low-A West Michigan..

Thomas, who also has played the whole year with Indianapolis, leads the IL and has established a new single-season career-high with 62 appearances for the Tribe in 2011, which is also tied for second most by an Indians reliever in the Victory Field era. The only other Indians reliever since 1996 with more appearances than Thomas was Mike Walker, who appeared in 73 contests for Indianapolis in 1998.

Overall, Thomas has compiled an 8-2 mark and 3.97 ERA in 68.0 innings of work for the Indians. The southpaw pitcher has held down left handed hitters all season, holding them to just a .192 average and has also been excellent overall as of late, not allowing a run in 11 of his last 12 outings.

Mercer, who joined the Indians on June 28, will be also be honored tonight as the Indians' August Player of the month. After a tough month of July, Mercer really turned things around in August hitting .313 (35-for-112) with 26 runs, nine doubles, a triple, three homers and 15 RBI.

His 26 runs were the most in the International League in the month of August, while his nine doubles were tied for sixth and 35 base knocks tied for eighth in the league. The right handed slugger also finished the month with a bang, belting homers in the final three contests of the month to give him a Pittsburgh organization best 19 home runs between Double-A Altoona and Indianapolis (13 w/ Altoona and six w/ Indianapolis) this season.

Each award winner will be honored prior to tonight's home finale against the Louisville Bats at 6:05 p.m. Fans will also be treated to a special regular season home finale Fireworks Show and will also be able to enter a raffle to win a game-worn jersey right off of Indians players' backs to be handed out post-game.

Tickets for tonight's regular season finale are available by going online at 6www.IndyIndians.com, calling the Victory Field Box Office at 317-269-2282 or visiting the Box Office at 501 W. Maryland Street.

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