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Can-Am Brockton Rox

Rox Valencia is League's Rookie of the Year

September 9, 2009 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Brockton Rox News Release


Brockton, MA (September 9, 2009) - The Can-Am League announced on Wednesday that Brockton Rox centerfielder Chris Valencia has been named the league's Rookie of the Year for the 2009 season. Valencia started 93 games in centerfield for the Rox and finished the regular season with 114 total hits, the second highest total in the league.

In his first professional season out of Lewis-Clark State College, Valencia batted .309 for the Rox and stole 27 bases, third among all players. He finished the season with 23 doubles, four triples, 36 RBI and 60 runs scored.

Among the highlights of his 2009 campaign, Valencia reached base safely in 20 consecutive games during August, a stretch in which he also batted .384 with a .432 on-base percentage. He hit his first career home run on August 10th in Sussex. A left-handed hitter, he excelled against left-handed pitching batting a team-best .380 with a .432 on-base percentage in 100 at-bats against left-handed pitchers. He finished the year with 34 multi-hit games including a five-hit effort on August 14th.

Perhaps the most impressive asset he brought to Brockton is his defensive skill. Valencia made the spectacular routine during the 2009 season. He frequently tracked down fly balls headed for the alleys at all Can-Am League parks, and made no fewer than a dozen highlight-worthy diving catches.

A 22 year-old from Garden Grove, CA, Valencia won an NAIA World Series with Lewis-Clark State College in 2008. Prior to Lewis-Clark, he attended LA Harbor Junior College and was named the South Coast Conference MVP and a Junior College All-American. In 2007, he had a 40-game hitting streak with LA Harbor.

Valencia becomes the fifth player in Brockton Rox history to win the Rookie of the Year Award. The last was OF Tony Gonzalez in 2007. Past Rox Rookie of the Year winners were: Gonzlalez (2007), OF Brad Rosenblat (2005), OF Kris Zacuto (2004), and 1B Craig Lewis (2003).

The Brockton Rox begin the 2009 Can-Am League Playoffs on Wednesday night against the Quebec Capitales in Quebec City. RHP Wayne Lundgren (9-5, 2.75 ERA) will start for the Rox against Quebec's RHP Eric Gagne (6-6, 4.65 ERA). Game One is set for a 7:05 PM first pitch.

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Canadian American League Stories from September 9, 2009


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