2018 Bay League Award Winners
Top Batter
No one was particularly surprised when the votes were tallied for 2018's Top Batter Award: Lorris Greens standout left fielder
Tega Smith. The 32-year old Smith has been one of the most consistent, exciting players in the league since its inception, but his 2018 season was easily his best, establishing career highs in average (.358), on-base percentage (.443) and slugging (.621), while swiping 33 bags in 39 attempts. No one in the league can boast Smith's combination of contact, power, discipline, speed and defense, and with this award, he's finally stepped out from the shadow cast by prodigious sluggers like
Ace Gervin and last year's winner,
Riyad Gomes.
Top Pitcher
25-year old
Frankie Wise anchored the Elliott Springs rotation after the surprising trade of
Greg Williams to Marsein just before the start of the season. Not bad for a guy who'd been a reliever for the majority of his 4 previous seasons. Wise picked up 15 starts in 2017, but he wasn't on anyone's radar as an ace candidate. The Tornadoes' brain trust, which has built 3 straight champions, saw something different, and put a huge load on the youngster's shoulders. It's hard to imagine him responding any better than this. Wise led the league in wins with 18 and finished 2nd in ERA (2.90).
Top Rookie
There wasn't a lot to cheer about in Gentry Hills, as the Scouts stumbled badly in the final month, losing their final 8 games to end in a 3-way tie for last place. One bright spot, however, was center fielder
Josh Perry. The 21-year old Perry became the latest winner of Top Rookie honors, hitting .317/.361/.436 with 4 homers to win the award.
Top Leather Award Winners:
Pitcher: Bobby Edwards (SIL)
Catcher: LaVell Worden (MAR)
First Base: Aaron Thomas (LOR)
Second Base: Roland Harrington (GEN)
Third Base: T.J. Ridnour (MAR)
Shortstop: Robbie Isenhour (ESP)
Left Field: Tim Tebbs (DPV)
Center Field: Simon Burks (ALL)
Right Field: Jason Bratton (DPV)