News release from the TinCaps:
Giron Named Midwest League Player of the Week
18-Year-Old Shortstop Takes League by Storm in First Week
(May 26, 2015) – TinCaps shortstop Ruddy Giron was named the Midwest League Player of the Week for the week of May 18-24, the league announced Monday. The award is selected by MiLB.com’s staff.
Giron (pronounced “He-roan;” his first name is pronounced “Rudy”) only joined the TinCaps on Monday, May 18, after starting the season in Extended Spring Training. In his first game with the team, on hardly any sleep, he became just second the Fort Wayne player in franchise history to have a six-hit game, and the first to do so in 22 years.
“It feels really great to receive an honor like this,” said the soft-spoken Giron with a smile.
The 18-year-old, who’s now the youngest player in the Midwest League, hasn’t cooled off much since his amazing debut. Giron finished the week 17-for-33 at the plate (.515 average) with a double, two triples, two home runs, five runs batted in, eight runs scored, and a stolen base. He also walked three times. During the week, the 5-foot-11, 175-pounder had a .556 on-base percentage and an .848 slugging percentage.
“In my professional coaching career, I’ve never seen a week like that for a player his age,” TinCaps manager Francisco Morales said. “He’s been fearless coming into a new situation and just had the approach like he’s playing in his own backyard.”
Not only has Giron hit safely in each of the eight games he’s played in so far while batting first or second in the lineup, he has had multiple hits in six of them. Giron, who’s from Santo Domingo Norte in the Dominican Republic, has also been impressive defensively at shortstop.
The San Diego Padres signed Giron on July 2, 2013. He made his professional baseball debut a year ago in the rookie-level Arizona League.
Giron will make his first appearance at Parkview Field on Tuesday night as the TinCaps begin a nine-game, seven-day homestand with a doubleheader against the Great Lakes Loons (LA Dodgers). Tickets are still available online at TinCapsTickets.com, by calling 260-482-6400, or by visiting the Parkview Field Ticket Office.
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