Tanner Banks Named SL Pitcher of the Week
July 23, 2018 - Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release
MARIETTA, GA - The Southern League of Professional Baseball Clubs are proud to announce that Biloxi Shuckers outfielder Corey Ray has been named Player of the Week and Birmingham Barons southpaw Tanner Banks has been named Pitcher of the Week. Both awards recognize these players' performances for games during the week of July 16-22.
Ray, 23, appeared in all six games for Biloxi this past week as the Shuckers posted an undefeated 6-0 record. The Chicago, Illinois native led all qualified hitters in batting average (.478) and OPS (1.563) while also recording four multi-hit games and leading the league in hits (11), extra-base hits (7), and total bases (24). The University of Louisville product also finished among the league leaders in OBP (.520, 3rd), SLG (1.043, 2nd), runs (8, T-1st), and stolen bases (3, T-2nd) during that stretch.
Listed as the Milwaukee Brewers no. 6 prospect by MLB Pipeline, Ray currently leads the Southern League in a number of offensive categories this season including stolen bases (30), doubles (27), extra-base hits (52), and total bases (195). Through 96 games this year Ray also ranks among the league leaders in runs scored (64, 2nd), hits (99, 2nd), home runs (19, T-1st), and slugging percentage (.510, 2nd).
Banks, 26, earns Pitcher of the Week honors after spinning a pair of quality starts for Birmingham. The Riverton, Utah native finished the week 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA (3 ER/14.0 IP), allowing 12 hits and two walks while recording 11 strikeouts. Banks' 1.00 WHIP and .235 opponent's batting average were the lowest among all Southern League pitchers who tossed more than eight innings last week.
Selected in the 18th round of the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft out of Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, Utah, Banks has made 16 starts between Birmingham and Hi-A Winston-Salem this season and produced a 10-3 record alongside a 2.57 ERA (30 ER/105.0 IP) overall.
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