
Zack Brown Wins 2018 Southern League Most Outstanding Pitcher Award
August 29, 2018 - Southern League (SL1)
Biloxi Shuckers News Release
BILOXI, MS - Shuckers RHP Zack Brown has been named the Southern League's Most Outstanding Pitcher for the 2018 season. Brown joins Corey Ray and Manager Mike Guerrero in completing the Southern League awards sweep after Ray earned Most Valuable Player and Guerrero took home Manager of the Year.
In his third professional season, Biloxi's right-hande?d ace has produced career-best numbers in Wins (9), ERA (2.48), Innings Pitched (119.2), Strikeouts (113), Games Started (20), Batting Average Against (.208), WHIP (1.05), and Hits per 9 IP (6.8) with five games remaining in the regular season. His ERA and winning percentage lead the Southern League in 2018, while his WHIP and Batting Average Against rank second. The Shuckers have also compiled an 18-2 record in games that Brown has started this season, and a 19-2 record in games in which he makes an appearance.
"Zack is a well-blended package of the physical and mental side of pitching," said Shuckers pitching coach Dave Chavarria. "Physically, he can throw anything at you and make quick adjustments. Mentally, he's not afraid to make mistakes and learn from them. He's a great teammate, eager to get better every day that he's out there, and just loves to compete."
The most unforgettable performance of Brown's season came on a Friday night in June against the Mississippi Braves. With the Shuckers' magic number down to one to clinch a first half South Division Title, Brown took the mound on June 15. The Milwaukee Brewers' #8 prospect led Biloxi to a first-half crown in style by tossing a complete game, one-hit shutout. The right-hander struck out eight while taking a perfect game into the eighth inning and a no-hitter down to the final strike.
Brown proved to be a model of consistency all season long. Prior to suffering an injury in a start on July 15 that shelved him for a month, he pitched through the fifth inning in each of his first 16 starts. The University of Kentucky product complied 11 quality starts throughout the year and made 16 appearances where he did not allow more hits than the number of innings he tossed. Perhaps most impressively, Brown has not allowed a home run since June 10, a span of 45.2 innings.
Between his May 31 and June 5 starts, Brown twirled back-to-back games where he set a new career mark in strikeouts. The 2016 5th-Round draft selection fanned a career-high ten in a win against Mississippi at MGM Park, and followed it up five days later with eleven punch outs in Pensacola.
Brown joins Jorge Lopez as the only other pitcher to win the Outstanding Pitcher award for the Shuckers. Lopez spent the entire 2015 season with Biloxi, posting a 12-5 record with a 2.26 ERA. Over 143.1 innings, Lopez struck out 137 Double-A hitters.
Brown and the rest of the Shuckers are home for the final five games of the regular season beginning on Thursday night. The Shuckers then stay in Biloxi for Games One and Two of their South Division Championship Series matchup next Wednesday and Thursday nights at 6:35 PM CT at MGM Park.
Single game tickets for the Biloxi Shuckers 2018 season can be purchased at the MGM Park box office or over the phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Playoff tickets and group outings are also available and can be reserved by calling 228-233-3465 or visiting www.biloxishuckers.com.
Images from this story
![]() Biloxi Shuckers pitcher Zack Brown (Michael Krebs) |
![]() Biloxi Shuckers pitcher Zack Brown on the mound (Michael Krebs) |
Southern League Stories from August 29, 2018
- Three Lookouts Named All Stars - Chattanooga Lookouts
- Hoops and Hardball: Generals Welcome Grizzlies Caravan on September 1 - Jackson Generals
- Corey Ray Wins 2018 Southern League Most Valuable Player Award - Biloxi Shuckers
- Nate Griep, Corey Ray and Zack Brown Named Southern League Postseason All-Stars - Biloxi Shuckers
- Zack Short Named SL Postseason All-Star - Knoxville Smokies
- Southern League Postseason Awards and All-Stars Revealed - SL1
- Mike Guerrero Named Southern League Manager of the Year - Biloxi Shuckers
- Harrison and Schales Named Southern League Postseason All-Stars - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Zack Brown Wins 2018 Southern League Most Outstanding Pitcher Award - Biloxi Shuckers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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