Baysox sweep awards in Eastern League
The Bowie Baysox will be participating in the Eastern League postseason for the first time since 1997, but the team's individual accomplishments this year are also being rewarded.
Starting pitcher Brad Bergesen was selected as the league's Pitcher of the Year and manager Brad Komminsk was honored as the league's Manager of the Year. Former Baysox outfielder Lou Montanez, who was promoted to the Orioles earlier this month, was named the Eastern League Most Valuable Player.
Bergesen started the season for the Frederick Keys, but he joined the Baysox on April 21. In 23 games since being promoted, Bergesen is 15-5 with a 3.11 ERA. He started the Eastern League All-Star Game for the Southern Division and he was also selected to the league's postseason All-Star team. He currently leads the league in victories and WHIP (1.14). Bergesen established a franchise record in wins this season, breaking the previous record of 13. John Stephens won the award as a member of the Baysox in 2001.
Montanez hasn't played for the Baysox since Aug. 4, but he still leads the league in batting average (.335), home runs (26) and RBIs (97). He could become the first player to win the Triple Crown in the Eastern League since 1976. The 26-year-old outfielder also leads the league in runs scored (90), slugging percentage (.601), total bases (271) and extra-base hits (63). He is currently second in the league in hits (151), tied for fourth in doubles (32) and tied for 10th in on-base percentage (.385). He joins Calvin Pickering as the only Baysox players to win the Eastern League MVP. Pickering won the award in 1998.
For the second time in his career, Komminsk has won the award for the league's top manager. He also won during the 2002 season with the Akron Aeros. In his first season with the Baysox, Komminsk has led the team to an 82-55 record. Prior to coaching, Komminsk spent 17 seasons as an outfielder in professional baseball, including eight seasons in the major leagues.
Comments
I am glad to see such success on the farm. I hope that some of these players will help the Orioles for many years to come. Times are a changin' in Birdland.
Posted by: NCBirdfan | August 28, 2008 1:37 PM
Nice to see two players win awards ...the whole team has play well together this year and I hope they win it all. I just hope to see a few players help out the O's really sooooon. Bowie pitching staff outstanding and we all know a team that needs some pitching .
Posted by: John | August 28, 2008 2:52 PM
Big difference between minors and majors. Puts it in perspective to not get overly excited when you see Stephens won an award.
Posted by: Vance Lee | August 28, 2008 3:21 PM
Look for BILLY ROWELL next season. He's in Frederick Advanced -A. He'll be in either Bowie or perhaps Nolrfolk next season. BILLY ROWELL!!!
Posted by: Orioles Fan From New York | August 28, 2008 5:23 PM
Lou Montanez has turned those Baysox stats into major league success too. He should be the O's left fielder of the future! The outfield is looking super with young kids Montanez, Jones, and Markakis holding down the future. Now, we need pitching to compete as the offense scores plenty of runs and probably will keep doing so.
Posted by: oldetoys | August 28, 2008 5:44 PM