DeShields, Foltynewicz named Astros Minor League Player, Pitcher of the Year
Will Be Honored During Friday’s Pregame Ceremony
HOUSTON, TX — The Houston Astros Player Development Department announced today that second baseman Delino DeShields, Jr. has been named the Astros Minor League Player of the Year and right-handed pitcher Mike Foltynewicz has been named Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
Both players will be recognized during the pregame ceremony at tomorrow at Minute Maid Park, prior to the Astros 7:05 p.m. game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. DeShields and Foltynewicz will be available to the media at 5:00 p.m. on the field.
“Delino and Mike are young players with exciting upside potential,” said General Manager Jeff Luhnow. “Both players took a step forward this year and established themselves as top prospects.”
Both players were selected in the first round of the 2012 MLB First Year Player Draft.
DeShields, 20, set an Astros minor league record with 101 stolen bases in 135 games between Class A Lexington and Class A Advanced Lancaster, becoming the first player in the modern era to steal over 100 bases and hit over 10 homers in one minor league season (Count Campau stole 100 bases and hit 17 homers in 1887). DeShields is also just the fourth minor leaguer since 2000 to tally 100-or-more steals in one season. The 2010 first-round draft pick (8th overall) was one of just eight position players named to the Baseball America 2012 Minor League All-Star team. DeShields, who was tabbed by MLB.com’s Prospect Watch List as the number two overall second base prospect in baseball, hit .287 (154x537) with 24 doubles, eight triples, 12 homers and a .389 on-base percentage in 135 combined games between Lexington and Lancaster. While with Lancaster, DeShields played a major role in the club’s California League Championship run as the everyday second baseman and leadoff hitter after his promotion. He was named MVP of the CAL championship series.
Delino DeShields Jr. – Infielder (combined Class A and Class A Advanced stats)
AVG AB H R 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB OBP SLG
.287 537 154 113 24 8 12 61 101 83 .389 .428
Foltynewicz, 20, was named the 2012 South Atlantic League Most Outstanding Pitcher after going 14-4 with a 3.14 ERA (53ER/152.0IP) and 125 strikeouts in 27 starts for Class A Lexington. The 6-foot-4, 209-pound right-hander ranked tied for first in the league in wins, second in innings pitched, fourth in ERA and sixth in strikeouts. Foltynewicz was also a first-round pick by the Astros in the 2010 draft (19th overall).
Mike Foltynewicz – Right-Handed Pitcher (Class A stats)
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG.
14-4 3.14 27 27 152.0 145 65 53 11 62 125 .250