Year in Review - Part Three

Published on September 16, 2004 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Vero Beach Devil Rays News Release


2004 VERO BEACH DODGER HONORS AND AWARDS (according to Radio Broadcaster Greg Detter) OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: DELWYN YOUNG – It's difficult to not give this to Joel Guzman, but Young edges out the talented shortstop thanks to spending the entire season in Vero Beach. Young made a strong run for Florida State League Player of the Year honors after hitting .281 with 22 homers, 85 RBI, 11 stolen bases and a Vero Beach Dodger record 36 doubles. RUNNER-UP: Guzman (.307, 14 HR, 51 RBI, 8 triples in 87 games)

PITCHER OF THE YEAR: CHAD BILLINGSLEY – Contrary to the argument for offensive player of the year, Billingsley hauls in the honors despite making his last eight starts for Double-A Jacksonville. At the time of his promotion, Billingsley was leading the league in ERA and was among the league leaders in wins and strikeouts. He finished his Vero Beach season 7-4 with a 2.35 ERA, permitting the opposition to hit just .202 against him, while striking out 111 in only 92 innings. RUNNER-UP: Jonathan Broxton (11-6, 3.23 ERA, 144 K's, .231 average against), Steve Schmoll (3-3, 1.80 ERA, 58 K's)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: CHIN-LUNG HU – You may wonder how someone who played only 20 games can win this award, but if you saw any of those 20 contests, you would understand. Perhaps the best shortstop in the league, Hu's season was cut short due to injury, but not until he was named the best defensive shortstop in the low Class-A South Atlantic League prior to his promotion. RUNNER-UP: Russell Martin (second in the league in assists by a catcher with 44 – showed amazing improvement after hard work with Catching Coordinator Jon Debus)

MOST EXCITING PLAYER: JOEL GUZMAN – Guzman may have been the most fun player to watch in the entire league. Probably the most feared hitter, Guzman was no slouch in the field as well. Every time a ball was hit in the hole, it was a treat to watch the 6-foot, 6-inch shortstop go get it and show off his great arm. Fans in Los Angeles can surely look forward to being treated to Guzman's exciting play at Dodger Stadium someday soon. RUNNER-UP: Jumbo Diaz (Pitched in only nine games, but electrified the home crowd every time he blew his 100-mph smoke)

BIGGEST SURPRISE: BRIAN SPROUT – Maybe only the good folks in Fargo, ND, where Sprout played the last two years, really knew how much talent he had before the season began. A surprise to even make the team, Sprout became one of the best offensive players in the league, hitting .285 with 13 homers, 37 RBI and a .385 on-base percentage that ranked fourth in the circuit. Sprout further cemented his spot on the team by playing left field as well as every infield position after playing only shortstop the year before. RUNNER-UP: Beau Dannemiller (Working with Pitching Coach Kenny Howell, Dannemiller had a career year and dominated opposing hitters, going 2-4 with a 2.97 ERA, including a string of 23.1 consecutive scoreless innings.)

THE GREG DETTER NICE GUY AWARD: A.J. ELLIS – To find a nicer player in all of baseball, you'd probably have to give a cap and a glove to the Pope. A hard-working, unselfish team-player, A.J. could very well have a future in radio or politics if baseball doesn't work out for him. RUNNER-UP: Chad Billingsley, Beau Dannemiller, Trey Dyson, Bryan Goelz, Joel Guzman, Casey Hoorelbeke, Russell Martin, Mike Megrew, Eric Stults, etc.

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Florida State League Stories from September 16, 2004


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