April 2023 DBL Award Winners
Delaware Conference Monthly Awards
Georgetown's Kohl Snags April Batting Title: Seasoned by several years of professional experience, 31-year-old Andy Kohl put together a solid offensive month for Georgetown and was crowned April's top batter in the Delaware Conference. He batted .384 with 6 home runs, 20 RBIs and 20 runs scored.
DEConf Top Pitcher for April Picked: Oliver Nelson hasn't been around the big leagues long enough to know that youngsters shouldn't be winning Delaware Conference Pitcher of the Month. But when you put up numbers like his, you're going to get some notice. In April the Dover starter earned a 5-0 mark in 5 starts. He threw 31 innings, struck out 26 and compiled a solid 0.58 ERA.
DEConf Selects Rookie Star of the Month: Youngster Walt Martin emerged as the latest Delaware Conference Rookie of the Month today. The young man from Christiana deserved the honor, batting .223 with 4 home runs and 7 RBI. Is the month of April a harbinger of things to come or just a fluke? We'll find out someday, but for now, we'll just let Martin enjoy the limelight.
MarVa Conference Monthly Awards
Francisco Reyes Selected April's Best Batter: On the heels of a very productive April, Francisco Reyes received MarVa Conference Batter of the Month recognition today. The battle-tested first baseman hit .366 for the Ocean City Tourists and racked up 10 home runs, 25 RBIs and 16 runs scored.
MarVa Conference Picks Best Starter in April: Paul Brown has made fans throughout DELMARVA Baseball League take notice over the past month with an exceptional 4-0 record. No pitcher in the MarVa Conference threw better in April, garnering him the Pitcher of the Month award today. In 5 starts Brown compiled a 1.95 ERA, putting up a 4-0 record, striking out 42 and tossing 37 innings.
Chong Wins MVConf Rookie Award: It might be just his first year in the league, but Yong-gwan Chong is playing like he's been here before. The Annapolis first baseman rang up some lofty numbers in the last 30 days and snagged the MarVa Conference Rookie of the Month Award. In April he hit .346 with 6 home runs and 28 hits. He walked 7 times and compiled a .404 on-base percentage, scored 15 times and drove in 19.
League Leaders as of May 1, 2023
Delaware Conference League Leaders
End of the Year Award Front Runners:
Silver Slugger: Andy Kohl, Jack Dooley, Peter Peters, Claude Bond
Golden Arm: Oliver Nelson, Cristobal Diaz, Irving Mills
Newcomer: Walt Martin, Vernon Tilly, Tim Horton
MarVa Conference League Leaders
End of the Year Award Front Runners:
Silver Slugger: Francisco Reyes, Jeff Lewis, Mike Taylor
Golden Arm: Paul Brown, Marcos Estrada, Ronald Cook
Newcomer: Yong-gwan Chong, Henry Hamer, Mario Gomez
Standings as of May 1, 2023
Southern Division:
Current Leader: Dover Generals (15-10 .600 / +1)
Projected Winner: Lewes Braves (100-62 .617 / +10)
The Generals hold a game lead over the Braves and a 1.5 lead of the Sixteens. The Braves pitching doesn't seem to be as strong as it was last season, the Sixteens are starting to make some noise, but the Generals are looking to make the playoffs again. Off to a hot start, this well rounded team will have their hands full over the next few months.
Northern Division:
Current Leader: Newark Millers (16-8 .667 / +2.5)
Projected Winner: Newark Millers (99-63 .611 / +14)
The Millers are off to a 2.5 game lead and the Clippers and the Colonials are trying to find their ground. The Clippers and Colonials made some big changes over the off-season, as the Millers have developed a nice young core, including one of the games best starts. The Millers look to increase their lead in May. This division's race could end up very interesting.
Eastern Division:
Current Leader: Annapolis Admirals (14-11 .560 / +0.5)
Projected Winner: Chesapeake Blue Crabs (94-68 .580 / +4)
The Eastern division is being lead by a surprising Admirals team, as the Blue Crabs are in 4th down by only 3 games. The top 4 teams should end up in a battle all season long. This coudl be the most entertaining division in 2023.
Western Division:
Current Leader: Norfolk Cavaliers (21-4 .840 / +9)
Projected Winner: Norfolk Cavaliers (106-56 .654 / +19)
The Cavaliers are off to one of the hottest starts in DBL history, and the other teams are paying for it. Can they maintain +.800 ball? Of course not, but jumping out to a 9 game lead takes some of the pressure off. The Cavaliers have had a handful of injuries, and an injury to one of the core could really change the division race. One problem with having a young pitching staff.