The Wisconsin Wire 3.5 - Regular Season Awards

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The Madison Wolves just completed their first winning regular season in six seasons, and have captured their first Midwest Division Championship since 1991. So, now it's time to honor a few of the major contributors with our regular season awards.

Rookie of the Year
Since he was drafted, high expectations have been placed on shortstop Bopper Kengos. Scouts have raved about his hitting ability and fielding ability both. He excelled in a brief showing in 1996, and was given the shortstop job out of Spring Training this year. Enough cannot be said about just how spectacular this youngster has been. The accomplishments are numerous: JL Batting Title (.365 average leads the entire MBBA), 117 Runs Scored, 123 RBI, 2nd in the JL in OPS (.989), and first in VORP at 83.8. He also claimed the JL Hitter of the Month Award for August. Kengos didn't limit his accomplishments to the offensive side of things, but he was also sensational in the field with a .987 fielding percentage at SS. Kengos led the league with more than twice the Zone Rating of any other shortstop and the highest defensive efficiency as well. Not only has the aptly named Bopper comfortably clobbered the competition for the JL Gillstrom Newcomer of the Year, but in the opinion of this somewhat biased GM, he should be the front-runner for the JL Sawyer Silk Silver Slugger Trophy as well. And scouts say that we have not yet seen the best this young man has to offer. Perhaps the single most jaw-dropping stat for Bopper Kengos? How about only 21 strikeouts in 664 plate appearances?????!!!!!

Hitter of the Year
This award should rightly go to Kengos, but since we've already waxed thoroughly on his accomplishments, we'll take the time to check in on the maturation of one of the most surprising stories in the MBBA, RF John Catron. Just two-and-a-half years ago, John Catron was 25 years old in A ball and well on his way out of baseball. Then something clicked. Always praised for his hard work and intelligence, Catron switched his swing mechanics and began a whole new career trajectory. John flew through A ball and AA in 1995, and then surprisingly made the big-league squad out of Spring Training in 1996. He spent the first half of the season pinch hitting and subbing in the outfield, and then got a shot in the regular lineup in midseason, when coaches began to see his prodigious power develop. In 1996, Catron settled into the role slowly and although he was impressing the coaches, his performance didn't translate well into the games. Intrigued by his development, hitting coach Bombo Vadabonceur lobbied manager Remy Gauthreaux to go ahead and give Catron the rightfield job on a permanent basis. John did not disappoint Bombo in his confidence. Now 27, John Catron had a breakout season, finishing 4th in the JL in both HR and RBI, and solidifying himself as the cleanup hitter on the Wolves.

Pitcher of the Year
Pitcher of the Year for the Wolves should go to the guy who was the least bad. In this case, Chip Foodie was far and away the best pitcher on the Wolves team. Finishing with a solid 16-9 record, Foodie also turned in a team best 4.35 ERA. The Wolves ace probably would not serve in that role on most teams, but when the Wolves play the name of the game is just keeping the opposition from lighting up the scoreboard, so the Madison hitters can go to work. In that, Foodie excelled.