Before tonight’s game the Boston Red Sox honored their minor league award recipients before the game tonight. Here is the information from the press release.
Pitcher of the Year: RHP Daniel Bard, Greenville/Portland: Combined to go 5-1 with a 1.51 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 77.2 innings in 46 relief appearances at Greenville and Portland. Was 1-0, 0.64 with 43 strikeouts in 28.0 innings over 15 games at Greenville and 4-1, 1.99 with 7 saves and 64 strikeouts in 49.2 innings in 31 outings with Portland. Was Boston’s April Minor League Pitcher of the Month. Was the 28th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft.
Offensive Player of the Year: 1B Lars Anderson, Lancaster/Portland: Combined to bat .317 with 85 runs, 32 doubles, 18 homers, and 80 RBI in 118 games for Lancaster and Portland. Had a .317 average with 13 homers and 50 RBI in 77 games with the JetHawks and a .316 mark with 5 homers and 30 RBI in 41 games with the Sea Dogs. Had the 3rd highest average and finished 2nd in runs among Boston minor leaguers. Reached base in 36 of 41 games after promotion to Portland on July 17. Was the Eastern League Player of the Week for period ending August 17. Was Boston’s 22nd round selection in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft.
Defensive Player of the Year: OF Che-Hsuan Lin, Greenville: Had a .961 fielding percentage in 207 total chances in 88 games in the outfield for Greenville. Batted .249 with 5 homers and 37 RBI in 91 games for the Drive. Ranked 2nd among Boston minor leaguers with 33 stolen bases. Was the Most Valuable Player of the 2008 XM Satellite Radio All-Star Futures Game at Yankee Stadium, going 2-for-2 with a home run. Was signed by the Red Sox as a non-drafted free agent in June 2007.
Base Runner of the Year: OF Wilfred Pichardo, GCL Red Sox/Lowell: Led the Red Sox organization with 43 stolen bases. Topped the Gulf Coast League with 42 stolen bases in 51 attempts, the most steals in the GCL since 1991. Batted .297 in 52 games for the GCL Red Sox, finishing 3rd in the league in runs (36) and 5th in hits (60). Played in 3 games at Lowell at the end of the season. Was signed by the Red Sox as a non-drafted free agent in July 2006.
Minor League Latin Program Pitcher of the Year: LHP Manuel Rivera, DSL Red Sox: Was 4-3 with a 2.24 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 52.1 innings in 13 starts. Is participating in the Florida Instructional League.
Minor League Latin Program Player of the Year: 1B Eddie Lora, DSL Red Sox/GCL Red Sox: Hit .300 with 6 doubles, 5 homers, 26 RBI, 21 runs, 34 walks, and a .455 on-base percentage in 35 games for the DSL Red Sox.
