September 11, 2007 at 7:53 PM
SoxProspects Awards
After tallying a vote from the SoxProspects community, the following are your 2007 award winners:
Offensive Player of the Year, Breakout Player of the Year
Bell hit .337/.420/.584 with 26 home runs and 105 RBI between stints playing CF for Lancaster and Portland. Before being promoted to AA, he led the California League in all three triple crown categories, earning himself the California League MVP, All Star, and Rookie of the Year honors. Bell led all vote-getters for Offensive Player of the Year, earning 22 first place votes. In 2006, Bell hit .290 playing for Lowell, Greenville, and Wilmington.
Pitcher of the Year
Buchholz is a repeat winner, as he also took home Pitcher of the Year honors in 2006. In the minors this season, Buchholz went 8-5 with a 2.44 ERA, 171 strikeouts and 35 walks in 125.1 IP, establishing himself as one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball and all but assuring himself of spot in Boston's starting rotation in 2008. As of September 1, he is 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA in three appearances for Boston, and as we all know he pitched a no-hitter against the Orioles on September 1.
Rookie of the Year
In his first active year in the organization, Reddick hit .305/.351/.530 with 18 home runs and 72 RBI in 95 games for Greenville. Reddick just edged out Lars Anderson, who also was very impressive in his first year in pro ball, spending time in Greenville and Lancaster.
Comeback Player of the Year
After a down year playing in pitcher-friendly Wilmington in 2006, Lowrie re-established himself in 2007 with impressive stints in Portland and Pawtucket, cumulatively hitting .298/.393/.503 with 13 home runs and 79 RBI. He also improved defensively any should vie for some time with the big club in 2008.