Snell Selected Southern League Player of the Month
June 3, 2015 - Southern League (SL1) News Release
MARIETTA, GA - The Southern League of Professional Baseball Clubs announces the Southern League-MiLB Player of the Month for May. LHP Blake Snell of the Montgomery Biscuits (Tampa Bay Rays) was selected for the honors after his near record-breaking run captured the circuit's attention last month.
In 37.2 innings over six quality starts, Snell produced a 3-0 record with a league-leading 0.72 ERA and 44 strikeouts. In each of his outings, Snell tossed six innings or more and struck out no fewer than five batters, while pacing the Biscuits to a 6-0 record in that time. The Seattle native made his first Double-A start on May 1 in an 11-1 win at Mississippi, where the southpaw fired six shutout innings of one-hit baseball, while fanning eight Braves. He carried that momentum into his next three appearances against Birmingham, Tennessee and Chattanooga. In 19 total innings, Snell allowed just seven hits against 19 strikeouts, extending his scoreless run to 49 frames.
His amazing streak finally came to an end on May 23 when he surrendered a run in the first inning of the Biscuits matchup with Tennessee. Snell was nevertheless remarkable, striking out a career high 12 batters in just six innings. Although he did not factor into the decision, Snell paced the Biscuits to an eventual 2-1 victory over the Smokies. His final appearance of the month came on May 28 in Jackson, Tennessee where the lefty struck out five Generals in 6.2 innings. Again, Snell was unable to grab the win, but kept his club close enough to take a 3-2 victory.
Snell was rewarded for his stellar start with his first Southern League Pitcher of the Week award on May 25. Rated as the top lefthander in the Rays organization by both mlb.com and Baseball America, Tampa Bay selected Snell in the first round of the 2011 draft out of Shorewood High School in Shorewood, Washington. In his 375 career professional innings, the 2012 Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year has struck out 375 batters, while compiling a 28-20 record and 2.88 ERA.
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- Snell Selected Southern League Player of the Month - SL1
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