SL1 Jackson Generals

Jackson's Taylor Widener Wins Pitcher of the Week

Published on May 21, 2018 under Southern League (SL1)
Jackson Generals News Release


PENSACOLA, FLA. - In light of his outstanding recent performance, the Southern League named Jackson Generals right-hander TAYLOR WIDENER as the Southern League Pitcher of the Week, for the week ending Sunday, May 20. Widener's award marks the first weekly accolade for a Generals player since Victor Reyes in September of 2017, and the first win for a Generals pitcher since Joel Payamps earned the honor in the first week of August 2017.

From the Southern League:

Widener, 23, recorded a pair of victories for the Jackson Generals this past week, tossing 13.0 innings across two starts and allowing just one run on six hits for a combined 0.69 ERA. The Aiken, South Carolina native surrendered just one walk while recording 15 strikeouts, registering an impressive 0.54 WHIP and holding opponents to a minuscule .143 (6-for-42) batting average.

The University of South Carolina product leads all qualified Southern League starters this season in strikeouts (63), strikeouts per nine innings pitched (12.89), and fewest baserunners per nine innings pitched (9.61). He also ranks among the league's top qualified starting pitchers in a number of categories including ERA (2.86, 6th), WHIP (1.02, 2nd), and opponents' batting average (.196).

Widener, a South Carolina native, pitched a career-best seven innings against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Saturday, striking out a career-high 11 batters in a 4-1 Generals victory at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Widener allowed one run on four hits without walking any of the 25 batters he faced while pounding the strike zone with 71 of his 93 pitches. Widener's performance helped Jackson clinch the series over Pensacola with their third straight win.

Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 12th round of the 2016 MLB Draft, Widener was acquired by Arizona in a February 2018 trade. The award is Widener's first recognition of any kind in his three-year career.

Widener and the Generals will return home on May 23 to begin a five-game series against the Birmingham Barons, and you can be there to see them play! Call 731-988-5299 for tickets, or log on to JacksonGeneralsBaseball.com to learn more!

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Southern League Stories from May 21, 2018


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