2012 was a very good year for Juneau Senators left fielder Wynn Dunsmore, this season's Alaskan League Hitter of the Year Award recipient.
Dunsmore had a sensational year, hitting .355 with a .448 on base percentage. He totaled 139 hits, 22 doubles, 1 triple, 26 home runs, 73 RBI, and scored 89 runs (that's equivalent to 134 runs scored in a 162-game season!).
In 2012, the premier pitcher in the Alaskan League was Chance Major. The North Pole starter is this year's recipient of the Pitcher of the Year Award.
The trophy winner posted these stats this season: 9-6 record, 3.01 ERA, 22 GS, 140.2 IP, 107 HA, 45 BB, 154 K, .212 OBA. He was second in the league in park-adjusted DIPS ERA as well. This is Major's second Pitcher of the Year Award.
The AKL's premier rookie is Julien LaFlamme, catcher for the Anchorage Bucs.
He took the Rookie of the Year Award by batting .277 and collecting 92 hits, 17 home runs, 74 RBI, 37 walks, 62 runs scored, and a .354 on-base percentage. LaFlamme turns 27 in December.
Kodiak closer Ron Yuke has won another Reliever of the Year Award, this time in a tightly contested vote. With a dERA of 3.447, he was third among relievers, and he led all closers in innings pitched, with 56.
Coming in second was North Pole closer Ed Staitie, followed by Fairbanks closer Bill Hearn.
It was a frustrating 2011 for Anchorage Glacier Pilots catcher Vincent Leroux, but that's precisely what made him eligible for the CPoY Award this year. In a closely contested vote, Leroux took the honor over Dominique Gaudet and Bob Horton of North Pole. Leroux hit .297 this year with 23 HR and 78 RBI, compared to .234/12/41 last year.
The catcher remains the subject of persistent trade rumors, as the Pilots' caretakers have announced that, to maximize sale value, they will try to cut payroll before selling the franchise this fall. Leroux is the Glacier Pilots' most highly paid player. Sitka has been mentioned as a possible destination.