Pel's Middleton Named to All-Independent League Team

Published on October 7, 2009 under American Association (AA)
Pensacola Pelicans News Release


Each year, Baseball America, the leading trade publication of major league and professional baseball, names the all-independent leagues team. For the 2009 season, three players from the American Association were named to the team including Pelicans starting pitcher Kyle Middleton.

The right-handed hurler Middleton was atop the Pelicans and American Associ ation pitching leader boards before he was signed by the Oakland A's organi zation. With Pensacola, he had a 5-2 record with a miniscule 1.75 ERA, and 83 strikeouts in 87.1 innings pitched. His ERA led all American Associati on pitchers. He had a span of 33.1 innings pitched in which he did not all ow an earned run, earning him a mid-season all-star roster spot.

Middleton was sent to double-A Midland where he continued his dominance over opposing hitters, batting only .209 against him. In nine starts, he went 5-2 with a 2.69 ERA, contributing to the RockHounds 2009 Texas League Championship.

Cesar Nicholas with Grand Prairie and Greg Porter of Wichita were the other two players from the American Association named to the team. Porter was also named Independent Player of the Year and American Association Most Valuable Player award. The power-hitting outfielder led the league in batting average (.372), homeruns (21), hits (140), on-base percentage (.453), slugging (.617), and extra base hits (48).

Baseball America's 2009 All-Independent First Team

C - Pierre-Luc LaForest, Quebec (Can-Am League)

1B - AJ Valentine, Yuma (Golden League)

2B - Melvin Falu, Brockton (Can-Am League)

SS - Nelson Castro, Calgary (Golden League)

3B - Cesar Nicolas, Grand Prairie (American Association)

OF - Nic Jackson, Fargo-Moorhead (Northern League)

OF - Jason James, Rockford (Frontier League)

OF - Greg Porter, Wichita (American Association)

DH - Joey Metropoulos, Southern Illinois (Frontier League)

SP - Wayne Lundgren, Brockton (Can-Am League)

SP - Jim Magrane, Somerset (Atlantic League)

SP - Kyle Middleton, Pensacola (American Association)

SP - AJ Wideman, New Jersey (Can-Am League)

RP - Brett Prinz, Somerset (Atlantic League)

2010 season ticket packages area now available starting at only $160. Othe r gift packages begin at $54. Fans can call the Pelicans office at 850-934- 8444 for more information or to reserve their seats.

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