Skelton, Griffin Honored by Atlantic League
October 13, 2016 - Atlantic League (AtL)
New Britain Bees News Release
New Britain, Conn.- The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball today announced its 2016 End-of-Season All-Star Team and Red, White and Blue All-Defensive Team. Players were selected through voting from league club managers and executives. Bees catcher James Skelton and first baseman Jon Griffin were both named to the Red, White and Blue All-Defensive Team, while Skelton becomes the first member of the Bees to be named to the Atlantic League's End-of-Season All-Star Team.
A native of West Covina, CA, Skelton becomes the first member of the New Britain Bees to be named to the End of Season All-Star Team. Skelton appeared in 113 games for the Bees, setting career highs in games played, walks (91) and home runs (10) to go with a .266 batting average. Skelton led the Atlantic League in both walks and on-base percentage (.399). Defensively, Skelton appeared primarily at catcher for New Britain, but also spent time at second base in 2016, finishing the year with just 5 errors in 777 opportunities in the field (.995 fielding percentage). Skelton led all Atlantic League catchers in games played (105 at catcher), total chances (744) and putouts (689). This the first time that the four year Atlantic League veteran has made the Red, White and Blue All-Defensive Team as well as the End-of-Season All-Star Team.
Griffin, 27, was named to the Red, White and Blue All-Defensive Team for the first time across his two Atlantic League season. The first player to ever sign with the New Britain Bees on February 18, 2016 after being acquired from the Long Island Ducks, Griffin appeared in 125 games for New Britain this season, with 124 coming at first base. The former Arizona Diamondbacks farmhand finished the season with a .995 fielding percentage, committing just 6 errors in 1102 fielding chances to lead all first basemen in the Atlantic League.
For the second consecutive season, the Atlantic League is proud to present the Red, White and Blue All-Defensive Team. This honor, based on a player's defensive abilities during the 2016 season, commemorates the red and blue stitched Rawlings baseball that was adopted as the league's official baseball during the 2015 All-Star Game in Bridgeport.
"Griffin was a stalwart in the field for us all season, and it's great to see his defensive play recognized by the Atlantic League," said Bees manager Stan Cliburn. "With Skelton, he was one of our most valuable players this season, not only calling great games for our pitching staff but acting as the kickstarter for our lineup each night out of the leadoff spot. Both players did an excellent job for us this season and this recognition is well deserved."
The full list of 2016 Atlantic League End-of-Season All-Stars and the full 2016 Red, White and Blue All-Defensive Team are listed below.
2016 Atlantic League End-of-Season All-Star Team:
Catcher: James Skelton, New Britain Bees
First Baseman: K.C. Hobson, Lancaster Barnstormers
Second Baseman: Eric Farris, Somerset Patriots
Third Baseman: David Vidal, Somerset Patriots
Shortstop: Luis Hernandez, Bridgeport Bluefish
Outfielder: Jeremy Barfield, Sugar Land Skeeters
Outfielder : Caleb Gindl, Lancaster Barnstormers
Outfielder: Fehlandt Lentini, Long Island Ducks
Designated Hitter: Joel Guzman, York Revolution
Starting Pitcher: Jonathan Albaladejo, Bridgeport Bluefish
Relief Pitcher: Andrew Johnston, Sugar Land Skeeters
Closer: Mike DeMark, York Revolution
2016 Red, White and Blue All-Defensive Team:
Catcher: James Skelton, New Britain Bees
First Baseman: Jon Griffin, New Britain Bees
Second Baseman: Eric Farris, Somerset Patriots
Third Baseman: Bryan Pounds, York Revolution
Shortstop: Luis Hernandez, Bridgeport Bluefish
Outfielder: Caleb Gindl, Lancaster Barnstormers
Outfielder: Fehlandt Lentini, Long Island Ducks
Outfielder: Aharon Eggleston, Somerset Patriots
Pitcher: James Simmons, York Revolution
The following is the schedule for the remainder of this year's Atlantic League awards:
Tuesday, October 18 - Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year, Manager of the Year and Rawlings Gold Glove Defensive Player of the Year
Thursday, October 20 - Club Awards, including the Ken Shepard Award for Promotional Excellence, the Joe Klein Executive of the Year, the Ray Cipperly Grounds Keeping Award, Mascot of the Year, Ballpark of the Year, Promotion of the Year and Outstanding Community Service Award
Atlantic League Stories from October 13, 2016
- Revolution Players Named to ALPB Post-Season - York Revolution
- Hernandez, Albaladejo Earn League Honors - Bridgeport Bluefish
- Hobson, Gindl Named 2016 All-Stars - Lancaster Stormers
- Lentini Receives ALPB Post-Season Honors - Long Island Ducks
- Somerset Patriots Aharon Eggleston, Eric Farris and David Vidal Recognized with Post Season Awards - Somerset Patriots
- Skelton, Griffin Honored by Atlantic League - New Britain Bees
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