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The Cyclones and SI Yankees have finished August fighting to reach very different goals.
Brooklyn has solidly battled for a playoffs spot, while Staten Island is hoping to finishg the season in third, not dead last. Both are playing very good baseball to make those things happen.
For all Staten Island’s woes, they weren’t short on talent. Nothing ever quite clicked and inconsistency dogged them. Player of the Year was 1B/DH Saxon Butler’s to lose, but, because he was so good, the Yankees promoted him to Class-A Charleston. After he was out of the contest, the decision was more difficult.
On the Cyclones side, their pitching was outstanding both in relief and in the rotation. There was plenty of excellence to choose from.
Overall, both teams had their extreme weaknesses and solid talent.
Brooklyn Cyclones:
Player Of The Year
Brandon Nimmo, Outfielder – The Mets 2011 first round pick (13th overall) has been through the fires in his first full professional season after playing just ten games in the GCL in 2011. His difficulties have not kept him from putting up the numbers to lead the team in a number of offensive categories. And on a team that struggled at the plate all season, he stood way out. In 65 games played, he knocked in a team-best 39 runs, 64 hits, and 45 walks. He also hit 5 home runs and collected 20 doubles. He needs to cut down on the strikeouts. His 73 K’s were third in the league. But he’s shown an ability to adjust with each at-bat and exhibit patience and maturity in his approach.
Starting Pitcher Of The Year
Hansel Robles – The M, L, and R train was hard to stop in 2012. Luis Mateo, Rainy Lara, and Robles led the league in strikeouts, with Robles 66 K’s third in the pack. The RHP’s 1.11 ERA leads the league. In 72.2 innings (second by a tick to Mateo’s 73.1) he walked just 10 batters and gave up zero home runs. His 0.78 WHIP is also the league’s lowest. In 12 games started he went 6-1.
Relief Pitcher Of The Year
John Mincone – The lefty led the team in saves with 5 and could be counted on to pitch in long or short relief. He finished July 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA. Left-handed hitters had a tough time getting anything off of him, with his ERA a superb 0.71. In 28 innings he walked 5 batters, allowed no home runs, and struck out 28.
Staten Island Yankees:
Player Of The Year
Taylor Dugas, Outfielder – Dugas .471 OBP leads the league and, in conjunction, so do his 48 walks. He led the Cyclones with a .318 BA as does his 64 hits and 37 runs scored. In 56 games the righhander made just 4 errors on a team that struggled defensively. He has remained a consistent contact hitter, with 30 hits in August, and 21 in July. He closed out August with a .883 OPS in 25 games played.
Starting Pitcher Of The Year
Evan Rutckyj – The LHP led the rotation in innings pitched with 72.1 under his belt and also led the way with 60 strikeouts. He lowered his ERA from 5.19 to 3.72 between July and August. He only surrendered an impressive 3 home runs all season.
Relief Pitcher Of The Year
Taylor Garrison – Garrison led the Yankees with 8 saves in 24.2 innings of work. The righty ended August with a 0.70 ERA, allowing just one walk and striking out ten. Lefthanders hit just 0.86 off of him. He did not allow a home run all season. He went 0-2 with a 2.55 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP
*All stats current at time of publication..
