And we've reached the top! (Although there will be be another post on this subject to come.)
The Valley League's best hitter is the third Winchester player to make the list: Florida International's Tyler Townsend. Tyler, for most of the year Winchester's #3 hitter in the lineup, had an astounding year in the Valley.
Over 42 games and 142 at-bats, he hit 387/500/739, with 40 runs, 55 hits, 12 doubles, a triple, 12 home runs, 36 RBI, an even 29/29 BB/K ratio, and an additional 14 stolen bases in 17 attempts. He finished in the top six in almost every single category: 1st in batting average, runs, total bases, and on-base percentage, 2nd in home runs and slugging percentage, tied for 3rd in RBI and walks, tied for 5th in hits, and tied for 6th in doubles. By the way, a .500 on-base percentage means that Townsend reached base on exactly half of his plate appearances- an incredible rate!
As recognition for his great year, Tyler was named the first team All-League designated hitter, and, more importantly, the league Most Valuable Player (making it two in a row for Winchester: Luke Greinke was the '07 MVP).
Baseball America also named Tyler the #10 prospect in the league, with the following writeup:
The truth is that Tyler has hit everywhere he's been. He was the 2006 Gatorade Player of the Year in Delaware as a senior in high school, and then picked up right where he left off at Florida International. In his freshman year, even while playing through a shoulder injury, Tyler hit 338/477/515 in 44 games and 136 at-bats, with 9 doubles and 5 home runs. He also had a 26/19 BB/K ratio. He was named a Perfect Game Freshman All-American.
In his sophomore year, Townsend hit 323/419/615 in 53 games and 192 at-bats, with 14 doubles, 14 home runs, 55 RBI, and a 25/29 BB/K ratio. The ability to work counts and get good pitches to hit is what shows in his excellent BB/K ratios, and what BA meant when they mentioned his "intellectual approach to the game."
Another thing that warms ATVL's heart is that Tyler was named to the 2006-07 Sun Belt Conference Commissioner's List for keeping his GPA over 3.5 (Tyler is a Criminal Justice major).
I think Tyler will hear his name called this June in the major league draft, but even if he doesn't, he has a bright future ahead of him. Congratulations on the excellent year, Tyler!
He is deserving of the spot too, I would love to say a co-#1 with Sizemore in my opinion but Tyler had some amazing numbers there with Winchester this year. When watching the Royals vs The Generals in 3 games in 2008 I knew Townsend did great in 2 of the 3. I know the Royal fans would love to see Townsend for another year there.
A great top 15 list John and I wish the players that are seniors the best in the future of the majors.
Posted by: GeneralsSignGuyMike | January 05, 2009 at 03:16 PM
Solid list top to bottom! It was some pretty amazing hitting we watched all season. Only thing better than the hitting...
Can't wait to see the 15 pitchers list
Posted by: Jerry Carter | January 06, 2009 at 05:49 AM
Jerry, I'll be starting the top starters list later this week. #10A coming, probably Friday. The top 5 were incredibly difficult to determine! JLL
Posted by: John Leonard | January 06, 2009 at 08:10 AM
I agree the pitcher's list will be tough to pick thru. I do hope to atleast see 2 pitchers in it from Waynesboro: Adam Liberatore and Jake Cowan.
Posted by: GeneralsSignGuyMike | January 06, 2009 at 04:41 PM
Mike, Liberatore is a safe pick, but Cowan didn't have enough innings to qualify. However, I do a series called "Mind the Gap," in which I profile some of the pitchers that didn't quite qualify. Cowan is on my list to cover in that series. JLL
Posted by: John Leonard | January 06, 2009 at 05:34 PM