The Texas Rangers announced the winners of the team’s 2014 minor league awards Thursday, with slugger Joey Gallo named the minor league player of the year.
The award, named after former GM and current broadcaster Tom Grieve, went to Gallo after he set a Rangers minor league single-season home run mark with 42 in 2014. Gallo also drove in 106 runs in 126 games between Myrtle Beach and Frisco.
The Nolan Ryan pitcher of the year award went to Alex Gonzalez, who pitched in Myrtle Beach and Frisco last season. Gonzalez went 12-6 with a 2.66 ERA with 113 strikeouts in 26 games (25 starts).
The defender of the year went to shortstop Hanser Alberto, who also played for Myrtle Beach and Frisco. Alberto also picked up a Rawlings Gold Glove Award for his work in the minors. He committed only 11 errors out of 547 total chances.
Phil Klein received the reliever of the year award while pitching for Frisco and Round Rock. Klein picked up 10 saves in 33 relief appearances and went 3-0 with a 0.52 ERA. He was eventually promoted to the big leagues, making his debut in August.
Also, Dominican Rangers manager Aaron Levin was named the Bobby Jones player development man of the year, and Michigan/Ohio area scout Roger Coryell received the Don Welke scout of the year award.
The awards will be presented at the 2015 Dr Pepper Awards Dinner on January 23 at the Omni Dallas Hotel. Tickets for the dinner can be purchased at www.texasrangers.com/awards. Proceeds from the awards dinner benefit the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation.
Also, the Rangers signed 1B Mike McDade and RHP Mason Tobin to minor league contracts.
