Kipnis, 23, in just his 2nd professional season, hit a combined .307 (159-518) with 96 runs scored, 32 doubles, 8 triples, 16 HR and 74 RBI in 133 games between Kinston and Akron in 2010. Following the completion of the Aeros season, Kipnis joined the AAA Columbus Clippers for their playoffs and batted .455 (10-22) with 9 runs scored, 3 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HR and 3 RBI in 5 games as the Clippers were International League and Triple-A Champions. Jason began his season at Kinston where he batted .300 (61-203) with 33 runs scored, 12 doubles, 3 triples, 6 HR and 31 RBI in 54 games before being promoted to AA Akron in early June. While at Akron he hit .311 (98-315) with 63 runs scored, 20 doubles, 5 triples, 10 HR and 32 RBI in 79 games. Kipnis led the entire Indians minor league system in hits (159) and runs scored (96) and ranked T3rd in triples (8), 4th in doubles (32), T5th in HR (16) and T5th in RBI (74). Following the season Kipnis was named the 9th best prospect in the Eastern League by Baseball America. A 2nd round selection by the Indians in the 2009 draft out of Arizona State University, Kipnis was converted to second base at the beginning of the 2010 season after playing exclusively in the outfield in 2009. He is currently playing for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League.
White, 22, the Indians 1st round selection (15th overall) from the 2009 draft, went a combined 10-10 with a 2.45 ERA (150.2 IP, 123 H, 63 R 41ER, 46 BB, 117 K) in 26 games/25 starts between Kinston and Akron while limiting opponents to a .220 (123-559) average against. On the year, White led the Indians Player Development System in innings pitched (150.2), was 2nd in ERA (2.45), T4th in wins (10) and 6th in strikeouts (117). Alex began the year at Kinston going 2-3 with a 2.86 ERA (44.0 IP, 32 H, 18 R 14 ER, 19 BB, 41 K, .204 avg) in 8 starts before being promoted to Akron at the end of May. While at Akron he posted a record of 8-7 with a 2.28 ERA (106.2 IP, 91 H, 45 R 27 ER, 27 BB, 76 K, .226 avg) in 18 games/17 starts. His 2.28 ERA would have led the Eastern League however did not qualify. Following the season he was ranked by Baseball America as the 8th best prospect in the Eastern League.
Bob Feller Winners/Lou Boudreau Winners
1990- Charles Nagy/Jim Thome
1991- Mike Soper/Manny Ramirez
1992- Chad Ogea/Ken Ramos
1993- John Carter/Jim Thome
1994- Steve Kline/David Bell
1995- Danny Graves/Richie Sexson
1996- Danny Graves/Russell Branyan
1997- Marc Deschenes/Sean Casey
1998- David Riske/Alex Ramirez
1999- Robert Pugmire/Scott Morgan
2000- Jason Stanford/Billy Munoz
2001- Mike Bacsik/Victor Martinez
2 0 02- Billy Traber/Victor Martinez
2003- Fasuto Carmona/Grady Sizemore
2004- Adam Miller/Ryan Garko
2005- Jeremy Sowers/Ryan Mulhern
2 0 06- Adam Miller/Kevin Kouzmanoff
2007- Aaron Laffey/Asdrubal Cabrera
2008- David Huff/Beau Mills
2009- Hector Rondon/Carlos Santana
2010- Alex White/Jason Kipnis
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4 comments:
the Kipnis selection was dead-on as he was the most consistent and arguably the most productive offensive player all season (after Santana departed). the White selection on the other hand was clearly a product of the organization validating, justifying and promoting a 1st round pick. i believe White had an excellent year and is destined to be a productive major leaguer, BUT he was not even close to being to top pitcher in the organization this year. Matt Packer was filthy all year and his statistic belie a better season, but that was Joe Gardner's award. Gardner led all minor leagues in GO/AO, he was 2nd in all minor leagues in BAA and he led the organization in 5 categories; wins, strikeouts, BAA, GO/AO, HR per 9inn. and was in the top 5 in virtually everything else. perhaps the organization uses a different matrix to determine this award, but the above stats are undeniable.
Frank you speak the truth.:) I believe too that they were validating White because of his draft status. Not that he had didn't deserve it, but if this were the Olympics I'd have handed White the bronze and then it would have been a photo finish for Packer/Gardner.
Gardner certainly would have been a good choice, but I don't think White's selection was simply trying to validate a 1st round pick. Their numbers aren't all that dissimilar- BAA, ERA, K/BB and WHIP are pretty much a wash. Gardner had a distinct advantage in K/9 but White had a similar advantage in BB/9. Gardner had a big advantage in GO/AO and,not coincidently, HR/9 but its not like White's numbers there were poor. It's just that Gardner was a ground ball machine. If they had played at the same level of competition, the selection of White might raise more eyebrows. But of course, White did most of his work at AA and Gardner at A+. You just can't dismiss the difference in level of competition. I wouldn't have considered Gardner a bad choice, but I think the selection of White is justified.
bsb, as i said White is a gamer and had an oustanding season and hopefully someday White and Gardner will hold down two spots in the Indians rotation. but how can you refute my claim when Gardner lead the entire minor league and the Indians organization in all the aforementioned categories?? those are the categories that count. he needs to lower his walks but walks are expected in the early career of a sinkerballer. i don't agree that for this award a pitcher at a higher level should be given higher consideration. especially when the pitcher in question obliterated the competition. fact is Gardner should have been in Akron last year. so let's hope he goes to Akron next year and picks up where he left off, or i'll have some explaining to do.
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