International League Names Player of The Week
Published on April 27, 2009 under International League (IL1) News Release
The International League announced today that Columbus outfielder Matt LaPorta and Louisville pitcher Homer Bailey have been named the League's Batter and Pitcher of the Week for the period from April 20-26. Each is the first member of his respective club to win an IL weekly award in 2009.
MATT LAPORTA, Columbus Clippers IL BATTER OF THE WEEK
This week Columbus outfielder Matt LaPorta validated his status as one of baseball's most highly touted prospects, hitting .520 and leading the International League with 13 hits, 10 runs scored, and a .613 on-base percentage. LaPorta hit safely in all seven games for the week, including four multi-hit efforts. He homered in back-to-back games Friday and Saturday against Indianapolis, giving him three long balls in the Clippers' first ever home stand at Huntington Park. Just 18 days into his Triple-A career, LaPorta finds himself near the top of the League in nearly every offensive category, including batting average (4th, .400), home runs (T-2nd, 5), hits (T-3rd, 24), on-base percentage (3rd, .478), slugging percentage (1st, .767), triples (T-4th, 2), and runs scored (1st, 19).
24-year-old Matt LaPorta is a former 1st round draft pick of Milwaukee in 2007. Formerly that organization's #1 overall prospect (according to Baseball America), LaPorta was dealt to Cleveland last July as part of the trade for C.C. Sabathia. The former 1st-Team All-American from the University of Florida was the first player in SEC history to win that conference's Player of the Year Award twice. LaPorta is a native of Port Charlotte, Florida.
G AVG H AB R 2B 3B HR RBI SLUG BB SB
Week:7 .520 13 25 10 0 1 2 6 .840 6 0
Season: 17 .400 24 60 19 3 2 5 13 .767 7 0
HOMER BAILEY, Louisville Bats IL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Right hander Homer Bailey was the International League's only starting pitcher to win twice this week, also leading the circuit with 12.1 innings pitched and 18 strikeouts. Bailey entered his start Tuesday with a 0-2 record and 11.25 ERA, having been ejected in his previous outing. He responded with 6.0 strong innings at Columbus, holding the Clippers to just two runs on six hits as the Bats went on to win 3-2. Bailey's second start of the week was an unforgettable performance yesterday in Toledo. In 6.1 innings, Bailey struck out 15 Mud Hens, establishing a new Fifth Third Field record and tying a Louisville franchise record for strikeouts in a single game. During one stretch between the 3rd and 6th innings, Bailey fanned nine batters in a row. His effort was more than sufficient to earn his second win of the season, as the Bats rolled to a 10-3 victory. In one afternoon Bailey vaulted himself nearly to the top of the IL leaderboard in strikeouts. He is now 2nd with 26 on the season.
Homer Bailey, who is less than one week from his 23rd birthday, was a 1st round draft choice of Cincinnati in 2004. He reached Triple-A in 2007, since which time he has posted a 12-12 record with a 4.34 ERA in 35 starts with the Bats. He has also gone 4-8 with a 6.72 ERA in 17 Major League starts with the Reds. Bailey is a native of La Grange, TX.
G GS CG SHO W-L ERA IP H R ER BB K SV
Week: 2 2 0 0 2-0 2.92 12.1 10 4 4 6 18 0
Season: 4 4 0 0 2-2 6.20 20.1 22 16 14 10 26 0
International League Stories from April 27, 2009
- Bats' Bullpen Tosses 3.1 Perfect Innings In Series Opening Victory - Indianapolis Indians
- Bats hold on to early lead, defeat Indians 6-3 - Louisville Bats
- LHV Game Notes - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Louisville Bats Records - Louisville Bats
- Syracuse at Buffalo - Buffalo Bisons
- Bisons Activate INF Mike Lamb - Buffalo Bisons
- International League Names Player of The Week - IL1
- Bisons' LHP Ken Takahashi Promoted to Mets - Buffalo Bisons
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
