Each month of the minor league season we’ll name a hitter and pitcher of the month for the state’s three minor-league teams and for the group of Kentucky natives in the minors. Check out the Louisville Bats team awards below:
Hitter of the month: INF Chris Valaika
- Stats: .329/.377/.457 — 6 RBI, 8 R
- Valaika was one of the few bright spots for the Bats’ offense during the first month of the 2010 season. The infielder has yet to homer in 2010, but lead the team in batting average, on-base percentage and runs scored in the month.
- Honorable Mention: OF Chris Heisey, OF Daniel Dorn, C Corky Miller
Pitcher of the Month: LHP Aroldis Chapman
- Stats: 1-1, 1.29 ERA, 22 SO/12 BB, 21 IP
- Chapman has been as advertised so far in 2010 and has dominated AAA competition at times while still showing some control problems that have kept him from a big-league callup. The Cuban defector leads Bats starting pitchers in ERA, batting average against and WHIP.
- Honorable Mention: LHP Travis Wood, RHP Sam LeCure, LHP Matt Maloney
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