Rick and Walker Named Northern League Player and Pitcher of the Week
Published on August 3, 2009 under Northern League (NL) News Release
Catcher Alan Rick of the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks was named Northern League Player of the Week, and Winnipeg Goldeyes pitcher Ace Walker received the Northern League Pitcher of the Week honors for the period ending August 2nd, 2009. Rick, who hit five home runs in four days, batted .574 (9-for-19) with eight runs scored, one double, one triple, five home runs, and 10 RBI in the week. He led the league with a 1.421 slugging percentage and .615 on-base percentage.
In the week, seven of his nine hits went for extra-bases. Over his last 20 games dating back to July 14th, Rick has 11 home runs and 28 RBI. He now ranks tied for third in the league in home runs (17) and tied for fourth in RBI (52). The left-handed hitting catcher is in his second season with the RedHawks. On his way to being named to the Northern League All-Star team in 2008, he established previous career-highs batting .267 with 15 home runs and 51 RBI for the âHawks. Rick was originally signed by Fargo-Moorhead on April 14, 2008 after playing six seasons in the Chicago Cubs organization. The 6-3, 210-pounder, is a seven-year veteran and former third round draft pick (123rd pick overall) of the Cubs in the 2002 Amateur Draft. He was drafted out of Palatka High School (Palatka, Florida) and does not turn 26-years-old until September.
Walker, who went 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA in the week, pitched a seven-inning complete game versus Kansas City on July 29th. It was his league-leading fourth complete game of the season. On the week, he only allowed three earned runs as he pushed his way back into the league lead in ERA (tied at 2.84). Playing in his fifth season of professional baseball, Walker returns to the Goldeyes for the second straight year. Last season, he led the Fish in wins (9), starts (20) and innings pitched (121.1). His starts total tied for second-most in a single season in franchise history while his innings pitched ranked fifth in the league. Over 16 starts in 2009, he currently leads the league in ERA (2.84) and wins (9) while sitting fifth in strikeouts (60). He also ranks second in the league in innings pitched (107.2).
Walker was originally signed by the Texas Rangers in August of 2004 as a non-drafted free agent following his junior season at Alabama University (Tuscaloosa, AL). After three years in the Rangers system, making it as high as Class AA in â06, he signed with the Goldeyes in 2008. Walker was first drafted in the 60th round of the 2002 Amateur Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers, but did not sign. The 26-year-old right-hander adds to his list of accolades in the 2009 Northern League season. He was previously honored as the Pitcher of the Week (June 8th -13th) and Pitcher of the Month (June).
Northern League Stories from August 3, 2009
- RailCats race past Flyers, 9-3 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Fargo opens series with nine-run outburst - Kansas City Monarchs
- RailCats nickel and dime Flyers - Schaumburg Flyers
- RedHawks swing past T-Bones, 9-2 - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Rick and Walker Named Northern League Player and Pitcher of the Week - NL
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