Southern League Hitter and Pitcher of the Week Awards
Published on July 16, 2008 under Southern League (SL1) News Release
MARIETTA, GA -
Hitter of the Week
ALCIDES ESCOBAR, SS, HUNTSVILLE STARS The Stars' offense regained its fearsome form during the week, and Escobar was at the center of the action. The All-Star shortstop led the league with 15 hits, including at least two in each game, during the period as Huntsville scored 48 runs during a five-game winning streak. Escobar also tied for the league lead with three steals and tied for second with eight runs for the Stars, who entered the week with only 17 runs scored in their first six games of July. The 21-year-old Escobar began the week with a double and a two-run single in a 9-2 victory against Birmingham on July 7. He collected four hits and scored four runs in a 15-4 rout of Chattanooga two days later and added three hits and a stolen base in a 10-3 triumph on Friday. The native of Vargas, Venezuela capped the week with two hits on Saturday to enter the All-Star break third in the league with a .337 average. His 136 hits are second only to teammate Mat Gamel's 143 in all of Minor League Baseball. AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB AVG Escobar 30 8 15 1 0 0 6 3 .500
Pitcher of the Week
KRIS MEDLEN, RHP, MISSISSIPPI BRAVES Medlen continued his seamless transition from reliever to starter with a 2.08 ERA and a league-leading 16 strikeouts in two outings during the week. The 22-year-old Medlen allowed just four hits and struck out a career-high 10 batters in seven innings of an eventual 4-3 victory against Chattanooga on July 7. Five days later, he gave up five hits and recorded six strikeouts in six innings of a 2-0 win at Jacksonville. That triumph enabled the Braves to enter the All-Star break with a one-game lead atop the South Division's second-half standings. A closer to begin his professional career, Medlen made 77 relief appearances before his first career start on June 5. In eight starts, the native of Norwalk, CA has gone 2-1 with a 2.30 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 43 innings. W-L IP SO BB H ERA SV Medlen 1-0 13 16 2 9 2.08 0
Southern League Stories from July 16, 2008
- Mudcats edge Braves - Carolina Mudcats
- Biscuits comeback twice to upend Barons, 7-5 - Montgomery Biscuits
- BayBears Open Home Series with Win over Lookouts - Mobile BayBears
- Diamond Jaxx upend Suns - Jackson Generals
- Suns offense good, not good enough - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Sanchez Powers Mudcats to Game One Win - Mississippi Braves
- Smokies out Ace Huntsville 3-1 - Knoxville Smokies
- Caridad Silences Stars in Tennessee Win - Huntsville Stars
- What's Cooking at the Ballpark - Montgomery Biscuits
- Mitchell reinstated - Carolina Mudcats
- Barons roster move - Birmingham Barons
- Diamond Jaxx to Host "Christmas in July" Toy Drive - Jackson Generals
- Kris Medlen Named Southern League Pitcher of the Week - Mississippi Braves
- Parr to Richmond - Mississippi Braves
- Southern League Hitter and Pitcher of the Week Awards - SL1
- Montgomery Biscuits Roster Transaction - Montgomery Biscuits
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