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McCutchen named 2009 Indians MVP

September 5, 2009 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- Starting pitcher Daniel McCutchen has been named the 2009 Indianapolis Indians Most Valuable Player after posting a 13-6 record with a 3.47 ERA and a team-high 110 strikeouts in 24 outings this season. He will receive a custom-made ring -- courtesy of Windsor Jewelers -- before tonight's season finale.

Neil Walker (Home Runs & RBI and August Player of the Month), Jose Tabata (Rookie of the Year), Erik Kratz (Defensive Player of the Year), Chris Bootcheck (Henry Smock Relief Pitcher of the Year) and Brian Myrow (Highest Batting Average) will also be honored prior to tonight's season finale.

McCutchen, rated by Baseball America as the Pirates number nine prospect entering 2009, sits tied atop the International League with 13 victories and led the Indians in starts (24), innings pitched (142.2) and strikeouts (110). The right hander received his first ever Major League call-up on August 31 after posting a 3-0 record with a 2.45 ERA in five stellar starts during the month of August.

The 26-year-old was also honored as the International League's Pitcher of the Week for the period of August 10-16. McCutchen went 2-0 with 12 strikeouts and didn't allow a single run in 13.2 innings of work during that span. The Tribe hurler finished the season with Indianapolis on a terrific hot streak going 5-1 with a 1.90 ERA and 40 strikeouts compared to just six walks in eight games since the All-Star Break.

Walker, rated by Baseball America as the Pirates number six prospect entering 2009, recorded a .264 batting average, with a team-high 31 doubles, team-high 14 homers and a team-high 69 RBI. The switch hitting slugger also received his first ever Major League call-up on September 1 and will receive a custom-made watch from Windsor Jewelers -- for his August Player of the Month award.

During August, Walker turned in one of the best offensive months in Indians' history finishing with a league best 29 RBI, while also ranking tied for first in total bases (63) and eighth in batting average (.339). In a span from July 30 to September 1 the third baseman collected 34 RBI which placed him tied with Philadelphia Phillies 1B Ryan Howard for the largest total in all of Professional Baseball during that span.

Tabata, rated by Baseball America as the Pirates number three prospect entering 2009, owns a .285 batting average, with 21 runs scored, seven doubles, three homers, 10 RBI and four stolen bases in just 29 games played. The Triple-A rookie has collected at least one hit in 20 of his 29 contests played with the Indians, including 11 multi-hit performances. The Tribe outfielder will receive a custom-made bracelet from Barrington Jewels -- for his Rookie of the Year award.

Kratz, who was chosen as an International League midseason and posteason All-Star, ranks among the top five International League catchers having thrown out 31% of the runners who have attempted to steal against him this season. The right handed slugger also entered September leading all IL catchers with 11 home runs and 43 RBI, while Indianapolis is 44-41 when Kratz starts behind the plate, 17-4 when he collects two hits or more, 7-3 when he drives in two runs or more and 10-1 when he launches a longball. Kratz also won the IL's Top Star Award in the midseason All-Star game after he went 2-for-2 with a walk, a double and a two-run homer to lead the IL over the PCL 6-5.

Bootcheck, who graduated from La Porte High School in La Porte, Indiana, went 3-2 with a 3.38 ERA, a team-best 20 saves and 55 strikeouts compared to just seven walks in 40 appearances for the Indians. The right handed hurler was also named the Tribe's June Player of the Month after he tossed 10.2 scoreless frames in 11 shutout appearances with no decisions and seven saves.

Before his promotion to Pittsburgh on August 7, Bootcheck was second in the International League with 20 saves and tied for eighth with 40 appearances, while his 7.86 strikeout to walk ratio (55 SO vs. 7 BB) was the best among IL relievers at that time.

Myrow, led the Indians with a .307 batting average and a .414 on-base percentage, while he also entered September ranked first in the IL in on-base percentage (.420), third in walks (65), sixth in batting average (.308) and tied for ninth in slugging percentage (.497).

The left handed slugger was also named the IL's Batter of the Week for the period of August 24-30 after he led the IL with a .600 batting average (15-for-25), 15 hits, 13 RBI and a .677 on-base percentage, while also finishing second with three home runs, a .960 slugging percentage and eight runs scored. Myrow has also reached base in 30 of his last 34 games, including 18 of his last 20 contests during which time he is batting .413 (31-for-75) with 16 runs, four home runs and 19 RBI.

Each award winner will be honored prior to the Victory Field season finale on Saturday. The Indians will take on their IL West Division foe Louisville Bats for their final home contest at 6:00 p.m. with a special Labor Day Weekend fireworks show set to take place following the contest.

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