June Award Winners
Delaware Conference Monthly Awards
DEConf's #1 Batter Announced: Tom Anderson battered Delaware Conference pitchers all June and wound up taking home the Batter of the Month Award. "I've been around DELMARVA Baseball League long enough to know you really have to work hard day in and day out to be able to put up this kind of consistency," the 27-year-old Anderson told reporters. "I put in a lot of work, even on the days I might not take the field, and it's always nice when everything comes together for me like it did this last month." In 27 games, Anderson hit .336 with 7 home runs, 26 RBIs and scored 21 runs. Thus far this year Anderson is batting .315 with 14 home runs, 58 RBIs and 51 runs scored.
** this is the Tom Anderson I thought I acquired 2 years ago. He was solid for me, but not this good. I am guessing a change of scenery did him good...
Randolph Takes DEConf Top Starter Trophy: Veteran Paul Randolph put together quite a successful stretch in June for the Wilmington Iron Pigs, earning himself the Delaware Conference Pitcher of the Month award. Randolph racked up a 6-0 record in 6 starts, posting a 1.04 ERA over 43.1 innings and striking out 25. For the season Randolph has compiled a 10-1 record with a 2.25 ERA.
DEConf Selects Rookie Star of the Month: Javier Reyes's eyes seem to light up whenever he sees the baseball. The young Seaford third baseman has been hitting everything in sight for the better part of a month. In June he was voted the Rookie of the Month Award. During the month he hit .250 with 6 doubles, no triples and 2 home runs. Reyes also scored 10 times and drove in 16 runs. Reyes on the season is hitting .244 with 2 home runs. His stats include 27 RBIs and 18 runs scored.
MarVa Conference Monthly Awards
Molinero Crowned Batter of the Month in June: When Alberto Molinero stepped up to the plate in June, he did it with confidence and today he was honored with the MarVa Conference Batter of the Month award. The young Chesapeake center fielder posted a .361 batting average with 12 home runs, 37 RBIs and scored 28 runs. Molinero also worked pitchers for 6 walks to post a .388 on-base percentage. Molinero is hitting at a .285 mark this season. His stats show 23 home runs, 67 RBIs and 59 runs scored. He has played 78 games for the Blue Crabs.
MVConf Relief Ace Kelly Named Best Hurler: Rick Kelly has been around the league long enough to know that relievers are often overlooked. That has never stopped him from doing what he does best -- and he did it extremely well in June and stole away with the MarVa Conference Pitcher of the Month award. The Ports bullpen ace collected 10 saves and 13 strikeouts in 13.2 innings, holding the opposition to a .224 average and posting a 0.66 ERA and a 1-0 record. This year Kelly has made 33 relief appearances and saved 20. His record is 2-3 with 27 strikeouts in 33.2 innings and a 2.67 ERA
Marquee Month for Chong, Top MVConf Rookie: In June, Yong-gwan Chong knocked MarVa Conference pitchers all over the ballpark all month long and put up numbers good enough to be voted the Rookie of the Month. Last month the 28-year-old Annapolis first baseman played in 23 games and hit .333 with 7 doubles, no triples and 4 home runs. Chong also scored 11 times and drove in 19 runs. This year Chong is hitting .333 with 77 hits, 16 home runs, 53 RBIs and has scored 38 runs.
League Leaders as of July 1, 2023
Delaware Conference League Leaders
End of the Year Award Front Runners:
Silver Slugger: Andy Kohl, Peter Peters, Anthony Lucarelli
Golden Arm: Oliver Nelson, Mariano Salazar, Cristobal Diaz, Irving Mills
Newcomer: Walt Martin, Vernon Tilly, Javier Reyes
MarVa Conference League Leaders
End of the Year Award Front Runners:
Silver Slugger: Pepe Santana, Jose Lopez, Jeff Lewis
Golden Arm: Paul Brown, Marcos Estrada, Chris Steele, Miguel Contreras
Newcomer: Yong-gwan Chong, Henry Hamer, Mario Gomez
Standings as of July 1, 2023
Southern Division:
Current Leader: Lewes Braves (43-37 .537 / + 4.0)
Projected Winner: Lewes Braves (100-62 .617 / +10)
The Generals started to sell, the Sixteens warmed up, but the Braves still seem to be the class of the Southern Division. A pitching strong team, the Braves look to have a handle on the division, despite having 6 players on the DL. If the Sixteens are going to strike, now is the time. The Sixteens are hoping for more out of hteir starting staff the next 3 months.
Northern Division:
Current Leader: Newcastle Colonials (49-31 .613 / +3.5)
Projected Winner: Newark Millers (99-63 .611 / +14)
The New Castle Colonials came out of now where to take over 1st in the Northern Division and now have a 3.5 game lead. The Colonials have made some very wise pick ups, including acquiring silver slugger Cluade Bond, who gives them one of the top 3-4 hitter combo's, along with Peter Peters, in the game. Can they hang on and get back to the post season? There is still half a season to play so its anyones guess.
Eastern Division:
Current Leader: Chesapeake Blue Crabs (47-33 .588 / +1)
Projected Winner: Chesapeake Blue Crabs (94-68 .580 / +4)
This division is looking like a two team battle between the Barons and the Crabs. The Crabs have turned up the heat lately taking over 1st this past week. They have a strong young team and are being lead by 2nd year player Alberto Molinero who is having a career year. The Barons have the pitching, but have struggled since all-star Mike Taylor went down to injury.
Western Division:
Current Leader: Norfolk Cavaliers (57-21 .731 / +12)
Projected Winner: Norfolk Cavaliers (106-56 .654 / +19)
The Cavaliers slowed a little in June, but still hold a formidiable lead in the Western. Question about the team still surround, as the young up start Cardinals aren't going to give up. One bad week and this whole race could change. The Cardinals went 19-8 in June, so the Cav's better not count them out.