Southern League Names Hitter and Pitcher of the Week
Published on July 31, 2006 under Southern League (SL1) News Release
Hitter of the Week
STEPHEN SMITHERMAN - MOBILE BAYBEARS
BayBears' rightfielder Stephen Smitherman sizzled at the plate last week, hitting .414 with 4 home runs, 11 RBI and an .897 slugging percentage to earn Hitter of the Week honors. He is currently enjoying a 10-game hitting streak, during which he has raised his average from .211 to .254. Last week, he posted five consecutive 2-hit games, while enjoying a stretch of three consecutive games with a home run. Facing Mississippi on July 26, Smitherman went 2-for-4 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI. The following night, the slugger again went 2-for-4, hitting a 3-run homer and driving in four runs in the contest. Smitherman is currently hitting .254 with 13 home runs and 40 RBI since joining Mobile on May 23. The 27-year-old McAlester, OK native was signed as a free agent by the San Diego Padres in 2006.
AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SB
Smitherman .414 29 5 12 2 0 4 11 3 0
Pitcher of the Week
EDDY VALDEZ - CHATTANOOGA LOOKOUTS
Lookouts' right-hander Eddy Valdez went 2-0, tossing 14.1 shutout innings last week to earn Pitcher of the Week honors. On July 25, Valdez stifled the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx for 7.1 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out six to earn his first win of the week in the Lookouts' 4-hit, 3-0 victory. The right-hander was again part of a shutout July 30 against Huntsville, blanking the Stars for 7.0 innings to earn his second victory of the week in Chattanooga's 7-hit, 4-0 shutout. He allowed four hits and a walk while striking out five and allowing just one runner past second base in the contest. This season, Valdez is 7-5 with a 3.41 ERA in 23 games (18 starts) for the Lookouts. The 26-year-old Nizao, Bani, Dominican Republic native was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Cincinnati Reds in 1999.
W-L S ERA IP H R ER HR BB SO
Valdez 2-0 0 0.00 14.1 7 0 0 0 3 11
Southern League Stories from July 31, 2006
- Parra added to Huntsville Roster - Huntsville Stars
- Mississippi pounds Carolina 13-4 - Carolina Mudcats
- Barons shoot down Biscuits, 4-1 - Montgomery Biscuits
- Barons defeat Montgomery, 4-1 - Birmingham Barons
- Braves offense relentless in win - Mississippi Braves
- Pavlik lifts Jaxx to 5-2 victory - Jackson Generals
- Mateo called up to Chicago - Jackson Generals
- Nestor joins Carolina - Carolina Mudcats
- Lundberg, Brazell lead Suns to Monday victory over BayBears - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Smitherman named player of the week - Mobile BayBears
- BayBears downed by Jacksonville, 8-1 - Mobile BayBears
- Carolina Mudcats transaction - Carolina Mudcats
- Barons to host doubleheader vs. Huntsville on September 2 - Birmingham Barons
- Magrane now a Bull - Montgomery Biscuits
- Southern League Names Hitter and Pitcher of the Week - SL1
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