Honel and Rodriguez Named Players of the Week
Published on May 31, 2010 under Golden Baseball League (GBL) News Release
(San Ramon, CA. May 31, 2010) - The Golden Baseball League is pleased to announce that Pointstreak, the official statistics bureau for the GBL, has selected Chico Outlaws RHP Kris Honel as Pitcher of the Week and Yuma Scorpions Outfielder Timmy Rodriguez as Player of the Week for the first week of the Golden League season.
With the first week being a few days longer than normal because of teams starting the weekend before, both players had opportunities to amass very impressive statistics. Honel won two games, including throwing the second no-hitter in league history while Rodriguez banged in 20 RBIs for the Scorpions.
Honel, 26, was drafted in the first round out of high school by the Chicago White Sox in 2001 as the 16th overall pick. He progressed to Double-A in three years and was in major league spring training with the White Sox in 2004, but then arm trouble ultimately led to Tommy John surgery. He returned and pitched in AA the last two seasons before being released and signed by the Edmonton Capitals in the Golden Baseball League last season. During the first week of the GBL season this year he threw a complete game shutout no-hitter against Tijuana in his first start and won his second start as well. He leads the GBL in wins and strikeouts with 14.
Rodriguez, 23, was drafted in the 37th round in 2005 by the Texas Rangers out of Mount Hood Community college in Oregon. He spend four years in their minor league system reaching High-A for two season and posted a .323 average for their Northwest League team in Spokane. Released just this April from spring training with the Rangers, he walked into the Yuma Scorpions all-comers tryout in May and was offered a contract. Winning an outfield job over several more experienced players, his slugging and defensive prowess has been a key reason that the Scorpions are leading the South Division. His 20 RBIs is six ahead of the next highest batter and is on pace to more than double the single season RBI record for the league. In addition he is 3rd in the league in runs scored, 2nd in Triples, hitting at a .350 clip, has made zero errors and leads all GBL outfielders in assists. His clutch hitting and fun-loving nature (including backflipping his way across the infield to take his position) has made him a great fan favorite in Yuma.
Golden Baseball League Stories from May 31, 2010
- Honel and Rodriguez Named Players of the Week - GBL
- Edmonton Capitals Home Opener Set Hall of Fame Voice to Throw Out First Pitch - Edmonton Capitals
- Snakes Spilt Double-Header - Calgary Vipers
- Shutout Sends Streak to Five - Calgary Vipers
- Outlaws Lose 8-5; Split Series with Tijuana - Chico Outlaws
- Edmonton Capitals Home Opener Tomorrow - Edmonton Capitals
- Outlaws Herd Cimarrones; Take Game 8-5 - Chico Outlaws
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