News release from the TinCaps:
TinCaps win big in Padres MiLB awards
(February 13, 2012) – Four former Fort Wayne TinCaps, including three who played at Parkview Field in 2011, were honored by the San Diego Padres in the franchise’s Minor League awards for the 2011 season. 2011 Fort Wayne standouts Rico Noel, Rymer Liriano, Keyvius Sampson were all selected as award winners, as was 2010 TinCap Jedd Gyorko.
Noel was selected as the organization’s Defensive Player of the Year after spending most of the season patrolling center field for the TinCaps. The former fifth round draft pick posted a .996 fielding percentage and committed just one error in 263 total chances over 94 games for Fort Wayne, while also making nine assists.
Rymer Liriano, another outfield anchor for the 2011 team, was named as Baserunner of the Year. He stole 66 bases in 87 attempts last season, which ranked third most in professional baseball in 2011. Liriano was also named the Most Valuable Player and Prospect of the Year in the Midwest League.
Keyvius Sampson was tabbed as the Pitcher of the Year. The twenty-two year old righty went 12-3 with a 2.90 ERA and 143 strikeouts in 118 innings pitched in 2011. He was named a Midwest League mid-season All-Star as well as a Low Class-A All-Star by Baseball America
after the season.Gyorko, who played 42 games in a TinCaps jersey in 2010, was selected as the Offensive Player of the Year. He hit .333 between Single-A Lake Elsinore and Double-A San Antonio in 2011.
The Padres also honored former Fort Wayne hitting coach Tom Tornincasa as the Jack Krol Minor League Coach of the Year.
This marks the second straight season that former TinCaps have swept the minor league awards for their parent club. 2010 honorees included Jason Hagerty (2010), Brad Brach (2009), Jeudy Valdez (2010), Luis Martinez (2007, 2008) and former Fort Wayne manager Gary Jones (2003).
The TinCaps open the 2012 season at Parkview Field on April 5th against the Lake County Captains. Tickets are available by phone at 260-482-6400 or online at TinCaps.com.
Individual tickets on-sale Tuesday, February 21. Opening Night is April 5th at 7:05pm.
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