The season has been long over, and everyone has returned to school, but that won't stop us from handing out more awards. Here are the 2014 All-ISWB teams:
1st Team:
Austin Church- Church, the recipient of the best overall player award, dominated on the mound and at the plate. As if his luscious hair wasn't a good enough reason to make this team, Church lead the league in Wins (7) and RBIs (38). Church turned in a .511 AVG (2nd) and clubbed 14 HRs (2nd). The only downfall to his 2014 performance was the high number of strikeouts and foul ball HRs. If he can cut each of those numbers in HALF, Church would undoubtedly be looking at a record setting number of HRs and RBIs next year.
Jordan Tackett- Tackett got off to an unbelievably fast start by clubbing 8 of his 17 HRs and driving in 17 of his 35 RBIs in the first day of games. Tackett cooled off from that point on, but still finished 1st in HRs (17), 2nd in RBIs (35), and 3rd in AVG (.505). Tackett also tied for 3rd in ERA (3.58). If he can bring a more consistent production level next year, Tackett could find himself in the race for Cy Young and Silver Slugger.
Brendan Dudas- Dudas received 4 out of 5 first place votes for Silver Slugger for his ability to get on base. He finished 1st in AVG (.595) and hits (50) while driving in 32 RBIs (3rd) and only striking out 7 times. Dudas led the league with 4 triples and came in second with 9 doubles. There's no doubt that Dudas will be looking to recover from his down power year after hitting just 8 HRs in 2014.
Sawyer Mitchell- Mitchell grinded his way to a very respectable 2014 campaign, batting .500 (4th) with 13 HRs (3rd) and 26 RBIs (4th). As to be expected, Mitchell's RBI numbers took a hit due to the two other power hitters in the Otters' lineup. These solid, top 5 seasons have become a thing to expect out of Sawyer Mitchell. Look for him to be determined to make a push towards the major awards come next summer. Mitchell also captured the first HR Derby title.
Cody House- House isn't on this list for his hitting, although he hit a respectable .378. CT went a perfect 5-0 on the mound in 2014, averaging just 2 earned runs allowed per game. The perfect record earned him the Cy Young award and the starting pitcher spot in the all star game. House could be emerging as the top arm in ISWB.
2nd Team:
Dillon Douthitt- Douthitt put up a very respectable offensive stat line .386/5HR/22RBI, but his batting didn't earn him the All-ISWB 2nd team honor. Dildo proved to be the most reliable set of hands on defense, regularly taking away hits and preventing runs. Douthitt's strong defensive performance (and chiseled abs) earned him a spot in the all star game via vote in.
Christian Abner- Abner surprised many of us on the first day with his bat and arm. Abner batted .483 (5th) with 13 HR (3rd) and 27 RBIs (4th), while holding a winning record (4-3) and a 4.00 ERA on the mound. Abner proved to be the x factor in the Otters' championship run, as he provided a vital 3rd power bat to their lineup. It was tough to leave Abner off the 1st team, but there just wasn't enough room. He's emerging as one of the better players in the league, so don't be surprised to see his name on this list again next year.
Slater Burge- It's saying a ton about the player Burge is to say that his 2014 campaign was "disappointing". Burge's average was down (.357), but he still managed to hit 14 HRs (2nd) and drive in 24 RBIs (7th). It was easy to tell that Burge was frustrated with how many balls just missed going out, but this dude showed what he's truly capable of doing at the plate by blasting 11 HRs in the playoffs on his way to the 2014 playoff MVP award. Burge is flat out scary with the bat when he's on. Prediction: Slater Burge rebounds from his off year to capture the 2015 Silver Slugger award.
Brandon Benedict- Benedict joined the Skeeters a few weekends into the season, but still put up solid numbers. At the plate he batted .410 with 4 HRs and 11 RBIs, but he did his real work on the mound, going 3-2 with a 3.03(2nd) ERA. Benedict earned a spot in the pitching rotation of the 2014 all star game. Benedict's power numbers are likely to improve next season as he's regularly been one of the better hitters in the league.
Keegan Caughey- Caughey really seemed to be the anchor for an incredible unstable and inconsistent Sand Gnats squad. He turned in the 6th best ERA at 4.28 and batted .425(6th) with 10 HRs(6th) and 20 RBIs(9th). Caughey led the Sand Gnats in both ERA and HRs, and eventually took over the starting pitching job towards the end of the season. Had Caughey been available for the playoffs, the Sand Gnats could've made a run for the title. Look for Caughey to be just as solid next year.
1st Team:
Austin Church- Church, the recipient of the best overall player award, dominated on the mound and at the plate. As if his luscious hair wasn't a good enough reason to make this team, Church lead the league in Wins (7) and RBIs (38). Church turned in a .511 AVG (2nd) and clubbed 14 HRs (2nd). The only downfall to his 2014 performance was the high number of strikeouts and foul ball HRs. If he can cut each of those numbers in HALF, Church would undoubtedly be looking at a record setting number of HRs and RBIs next year.
Jordan Tackett- Tackett got off to an unbelievably fast start by clubbing 8 of his 17 HRs and driving in 17 of his 35 RBIs in the first day of games. Tackett cooled off from that point on, but still finished 1st in HRs (17), 2nd in RBIs (35), and 3rd in AVG (.505). Tackett also tied for 3rd in ERA (3.58). If he can bring a more consistent production level next year, Tackett could find himself in the race for Cy Young and Silver Slugger.
Brendan Dudas- Dudas received 4 out of 5 first place votes for Silver Slugger for his ability to get on base. He finished 1st in AVG (.595) and hits (50) while driving in 32 RBIs (3rd) and only striking out 7 times. Dudas led the league with 4 triples and came in second with 9 doubles. There's no doubt that Dudas will be looking to recover from his down power year after hitting just 8 HRs in 2014.
Sawyer Mitchell- Mitchell grinded his way to a very respectable 2014 campaign, batting .500 (4th) with 13 HRs (3rd) and 26 RBIs (4th). As to be expected, Mitchell's RBI numbers took a hit due to the two other power hitters in the Otters' lineup. These solid, top 5 seasons have become a thing to expect out of Sawyer Mitchell. Look for him to be determined to make a push towards the major awards come next summer. Mitchell also captured the first HR Derby title.
Cody House- House isn't on this list for his hitting, although he hit a respectable .378. CT went a perfect 5-0 on the mound in 2014, averaging just 2 earned runs allowed per game. The perfect record earned him the Cy Young award and the starting pitcher spot in the all star game. House could be emerging as the top arm in ISWB.
2nd Team:
Dillon Douthitt- Douthitt put up a very respectable offensive stat line .386/5HR/22RBI, but his batting didn't earn him the All-ISWB 2nd team honor. Dildo proved to be the most reliable set of hands on defense, regularly taking away hits and preventing runs. Douthitt's strong defensive performance (and chiseled abs) earned him a spot in the all star game via vote in.
Christian Abner- Abner surprised many of us on the first day with his bat and arm. Abner batted .483 (5th) with 13 HR (3rd) and 27 RBIs (4th), while holding a winning record (4-3) and a 4.00 ERA on the mound. Abner proved to be the x factor in the Otters' championship run, as he provided a vital 3rd power bat to their lineup. It was tough to leave Abner off the 1st team, but there just wasn't enough room. He's emerging as one of the better players in the league, so don't be surprised to see his name on this list again next year.
Slater Burge- It's saying a ton about the player Burge is to say that his 2014 campaign was "disappointing". Burge's average was down (.357), but he still managed to hit 14 HRs (2nd) and drive in 24 RBIs (7th). It was easy to tell that Burge was frustrated with how many balls just missed going out, but this dude showed what he's truly capable of doing at the plate by blasting 11 HRs in the playoffs on his way to the 2014 playoff MVP award. Burge is flat out scary with the bat when he's on. Prediction: Slater Burge rebounds from his off year to capture the 2015 Silver Slugger award.
Brandon Benedict- Benedict joined the Skeeters a few weekends into the season, but still put up solid numbers. At the plate he batted .410 with 4 HRs and 11 RBIs, but he did his real work on the mound, going 3-2 with a 3.03(2nd) ERA. Benedict earned a spot in the pitching rotation of the 2014 all star game. Benedict's power numbers are likely to improve next season as he's regularly been one of the better hitters in the league.
Keegan Caughey- Caughey really seemed to be the anchor for an incredible unstable and inconsistent Sand Gnats squad. He turned in the 6th best ERA at 4.28 and batted .425(6th) with 10 HRs(6th) and 20 RBIs(9th). Caughey led the Sand Gnats in both ERA and HRs, and eventually took over the starting pitching job towards the end of the season. Had Caughey been available for the playoffs, the Sand Gnats could've made a run for the title. Look for Caughey to be just as solid next year.
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