Northern League Player of the Year Honors Announced
Published on September 9, 2009 under Northern League (NL) News Release
Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks outfielder Nic Jackson was voted the Northern League Player of the Year, and Winnipeg Goldeyes pitcher Ace Walker was named the Pitcher of the Year as voted on by select league personnel and players. Jackson, who led the league with 97 RBI, established career highs in stolen bases (26) and RBI while also totaling his most home runs (17) since 2001. Playing 93 of 95 games for the âHawks in center field, he ranked eighth in the league in batting (.310), third in total bases (196) and doubles (26), fourth in runs (76) and hits (119). He also led the league in stolen base percentage (.867). Jackson, who was named to the mid-season and post-season Northern League allstar teams, was also honored as the Player of the Week (July 27th) and the Rawlings Player of the Month (July).
The 6-3, 200-pounder is an eight-year veteran and former third round draft pick (76th pick overall) of the Chicago Cubs in the 2000 Amateur Draft out of the University of Richmond (Richmond, VA). Over his career, he spent parts of two seasons at Triple-A and three years at Double-A. Besides the Cubs, he also played for the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies organizations. He was signed by the RedHawks on April 3, 2009.
Walker, who led the league in wins, went 12-6 with a 3.32 ERA on his way to being named the 2009 Northern League Pitcher of the Year. It was his second straight season of making 20 or more starts for the Goldeyes after going 9-4 in 2008. He becomes the second Winnipeg pitcher to receive the honor, and first since Rafael Gross in 2003.
The right-hander finished the year second in the league in ERA (3.32) while leading the league in complete games (6). Walker was honored as the Rawlings N.L. Pitcher of the Month (June) and was also named Player of the Week twice during the 2009 season (June 15th and August 3rd). Walker, who resides in Prague, OK, was named to the Northern League mid-season and post-season all-star teams (Right-Handed Pitcher). He was originally signed by the Texas Rangers in 2004 as a non-drafted free agent. After three years in the Rangers farm system, making it as high as Class AA in â06, he signed with the Goldeyes before the start of the '08 season.
Northern League Stories from September 9, 2009
- RailCats and RedHawks Each Win, Series Heads to Gary Tied - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- RedHawks Grab Game Two, Even Series - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- RailCats Take Championship Opener - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Watch Inside RailCats Baseball Thursday on Lakeshore PTV - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Jackson Named N.L. Player of the Year - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Walker Picks Up Season Top Pitcher Honors - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Northern League Player of the Year Honors Announced - NL
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