Reed Named Cal League Most Valuable Player
August 21, 2015 - California League (CalL1)
Lancaster JetHawks News Release
LANCASTER, Calif. - Former JetHawks first baseman A.J. Reed has been named the California League's Most Valuable Player, the California League announced Friday when it released its 2015 Field Awards and Postseason All-Stars.
Reed is joined by former outfielder Brett Phillips, who has been named one of three Cal League Postseason All-Star outfielders.
The Astros second round pick in 2014, Reed also earned Cal League Rookie of the Year, given to a player in his first full professional season, and Postseason All-Star first baseman honors.
Reed played in 82 games with the JetHawks and was leading the Cal League in batting average (.346), on-base percentage (.449), slugging percentage (.638), home runs (23), RBI (81), walks (59) and total bases (203) when he was promoted to Double-A Corpus Christi on July 12. The 2014 Golden Spikes Award winner with the University of Kentucky is hitting .333 with six home runs and 27 RBI in 36 games in the Texas League.
Reed is the third Lancaster player ever to be named the league's MVP and the first since Red Sox prospect Bubba Bell hit .370 with 22 homers and 83 RBI in 76 games with the JetHawks in 2007. Former Mariners' farmhand Juan Silvestre was the first to win the award in 2000.
Phillips' honor comes despite only playing in 66 games with the JetHawks. The Lancaster centerfielder and leadoff hitter during the season's first half was promoted to Corpus Christi on June 24 after participating in the California/Carolina League All-Star Game. He is currently playing with the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers of the Southern League after being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers when the Houston Astros acquired outfielder Carlos Gomez.
The 21-year-old Phillips hit .320 with 19 doubles, seven triples and 15 homers with the JetHawks. He led the Cal League with 93 hits and 171 total bases at the time of his promotion.
The JetHawks had four players earn postseason awards in 2014. Left-hander Josh Hader was the first Lancaster pitcher ever to be named Cal League Pitcher of the Year, and catcher Roberto Peña, second baseman Tony Kemp and outfielder Teoscar Hernandez were all named Postseason All-Stars.
Don't miss a moment of exciting JetHawks action as they look to defend their 2014 California League title. Playoff tickets are on sale now. To order, call (661) 726-5400, or visit jethawks.com.
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