Jordany Valdespin Named Independent Leagues Player of the Year
November 23, 2018 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release
(Central Islip, N.Y.) - Baseball America, known industry-wide as "The Bible of Baseball", has selected Ducks infielder Jordany Valdespin as the 2018 "Independent Leagues Player of the Year" in its annual end-of-season awards edition, on newsstands December 7. Valdespin becomes the first Duck and fifth Atlantic League player honored with the award in its 23-year history.
"Jordany's outstanding season being recognized this way is a fitting tribute to his hard work and dedication," said Ducks President/GM Michael Pfaff. "To be selected as the top player across multiple leagues featuring hundreds of talented players is a fantastic honor. We look forward to seeing Jordany continue to accomplish great things in the future."
Valdespin, who was also named the Atlantic League's Player of the Year, led the league with 154 hits, 94 runs scored and seven doubles during the 2018 season while ranking second in batting average at .3377, just .0007 from the batting title. The four-year MLB veteran was also among the league's Top 5 in several other categories, finishing second in on-base percentage (.399) and total bases (222), third in stolen base percentage (.857) and fifth in slugging percentage (.487). In 113 regular season games, he totaled 12 home runs, 55 RBIs, 18 doubles and 46 walks.
Additionally, the Dominican Republic native posted the longest on-base streak in the league this past season at 32 consecutive games from June 4th to July 14th. He was selected to play in the Atlantic League All-Star Game, held at Long Island's Bethpage Ballpark on July 11th, and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in the game. The 30-year-old was also named the league's Co-Player of the Month for April/May after leading the league in hits (45), runs (29), total bases (73), extra-base hits (17), and at bats (131) in that span. He was voted by fans as the Delmonte-Smelson Team MVP in September and was chosen as the Atlantic League's Post-Season All-Star second baseman in October.
Valdespin became the third player in franchise history to be named the Atlantic League's Player of the Year. Lew Ford most recently claimed the award in 2014 after breaking the league record for hits in a single season with 189 while becoming the first player in league history to play in all 140 games during the regular season. Ray Navarrete was the first Duck to garner Player of the Year honors after he led the league in RBIs (96), hits (164), runs (106), extra-base hits (66) and doubles (39) during the 2009 season.
The following is a full list of Baseball America Independent League Player of the Year Award winners:
2018 - Jordany Valdespin, Long Island Ducks 2B
2017 - Alonzo Harris, York Revolution OF/2B
2016 - Art Charles, New Jersey Jackals 1B
2015 - Joe Maloney, Rockland Boulders IF/C
2014 - Balbino Fuenmayor, Les Capitales de Quebec IF
2013 - C.J. Ziegler, Wichita Wingnuts, 1B
2012 - Blake Gailen, Lancaster Barnstormers OF
2011 - Chris Colabello, Worcester Tornadoes 1B
2010 - Beau Torbert, Sioux Falls Pheasants OF
2009 - Greg Porter, Wichita Wingnuts OF
2008 - Patrick Breen, Orange County Flyers OF
2007 - Darryl Brinkley, Calgary Vipers OF
2006 - Ian Church, Kalamazoo Kings OF
2005 - Eddie Lantigua, Les Capitales de Québec 3B
2004 - Victor Rodriguez, Somerset Patriots SS
2003 - Jason Shelley, Rockford RiverHawks P
2002 - Bobby Madritsch, Winnipeg Goldeyes P
2001 - Mike Warner, Somerset Patriots OF
2000 - Anthony Lewis, Duluth-Superior Dukes 1B
1999 - Carmine Cappuccio, New Jersey Jackals OF
1998 - Morgan Burkhart, Richmond Roosters 1B
1997 - Mike Meggers, Winnipeg Goldeyes/Duluth-Superior Dukes OF
1996 - Darryl Motley, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks OF
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.
• Discuss this story on the Atlantic League message board...
Atlantic League Stories from November 23, 2018
- Jordany Valdespin Named Independent Leagues Player of the Year - Long Island Ducks
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.
