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Futures League Team of the Month: June

WEYMOUTH, Mass. – The start of the 2019 Futures League season has been exciting to say the least. We have seen home run derby finishes, walk off hits, no-hitters, and some insane individual performances. As baseball fans know, consistency is a key attribute in baseball and the most consistent players are the most valuable players. The 11 most consistent Futures League players at their position in the month of June make up our first Team of the Month for the 2019 season presented by On Deck Sports.  

 

Starting Pitcher, Shawn Babineau, Worcester (Pitcher of the Month) 

4-0 | 1.08 ERA | 25 IP | 12 H | 3 R | 5 BB | 30K | .138 BAA  

Shawn Babineau of the Worcester Bravehearts dominated the start to the 2019 season earning him the Futures League Pitcher of the Month for June. His 1.08 ERA leads the league and he is tied for the lead in both hits and runs allowed. Babineau put himself on the map and started off this amazing run throwing six hitless innings in his first start in what was eventually a combined no-hitter for Worcester. On top of that, he has averaged 7.5 strikeouts throughout his first four starts. 

 

3B, Mitch Donofrio, Brockton (Player of the Month)

30 for 88 | .341 BA | 7 HR | 9 2B | 19 R | 23 RBI

Mitch Donofrio had a very hot bat in the Brockton lineup throughout the first month of the season. He leads the league in doubles, home runs, and RBI, earning him the first Player of the Month award of the season. He made a major statement on June 12thagainst the Nashua Silver Knights going 3 for 4 with two home runs and a double, three runs scored, and three RBIs. He stayed consistent throughout the rest of the month with 9 total multi-hit games and is a major reason the Rox are just 0.5 games back for the league lead in the standings.

 

C, Jackson Petersen, Pittsfield

22 for 73 | .301 BA | 6 HR | 6 2B | 12 R | 23 RBI

Jackson Petersen has had a great start to the season for the first place Pittsfield Suns and stands out in a Pittsfield lineup full of offensive weapons. Jackson is 2ndin the league in home runs with 6 and is the go-to guy for the Suns for their home run derby situations. He also trails league leader Donofrio by just one RBI with 23. Petersen’s best offensive performance came in a June 9th18-6 victory over Worcester. He went 3 for 5 with a double and a home run, three runs scored, and five RBIs. He proved to be a vital part of this Pittsfield team going forward.

 

1B, Thomas Joyce, Westfield

28 for 77 | .364 BA | 2 HR | 5 2B | 12 R | 6 RBI

Westfield’s Thomas Joyce comes in with the 5thbest batting average in the league through the first month of the season. He has proven himself in a Starfires lineup that has struggled coming out of the gate this season. He stays consistent through the teams struggles as he has put up nine multi-hit games and continues to reach base and help the Starfires in many different ways offensively and defensively. 

 

2B/IF, Tyler MacGregor, North Shore

30 for 76 | .395 BA | 5 2B | 11 R | 15 RBI

The North Shore Navigators had a very hot start to the 2019 season and were atop the standings for weeks. One of the main reason’s for the team’s success is the play of Tyler MacGregor. He ranks 2ndin the league in batting average with his .395 average. MacGregor is a player that immediately stands out and continues to stand out day after day. His ability to make contact and reach base as successfully as he does makes him an integral piece in the Navs lineup. 

 

SS/IF, Andrew Olszak, North Shore

34 for 106 | .321 BA | 1 HR | 2 3B | 6 2B | 17 R | 19 RBI

Andrew Olszak of the North Shore Navigators is another reason the Navs found so much success in the win column this month. He leads the Futures League with 36 hits and is tied for 3rdin the league in RBIs. As he has proved he can get hits and get on base effectively, he has also shown his ability to hit for power with his two triples, six doubles, and 1 home run. He is a versatile weapon in the North Shore lineup that has come up big time and time again.

 

OF, Brandon Miller, Bristol

32 for 78 | .410 BA | 1 HR | 1 3B | 6 2B | 11 R | 18 RBI

Brandon Miller has made a name for himself with his offensive play so far this year. His amazing .410 batting average leads the league and he ranks 2ndin hits by just two with 34 hits. Bristol, as a team, had an amazing finish to June as they won 8 of their last 9 games in June. One of the biggest reasons was Brandon Miller and his ability to get on base, drive in runs, and hit for power. He has proven himself as one of the best hitters in this league throughout this first month.

 

OF, Austin White, Bristol

31 for 80 | .388 BA | 4 3B | 6 2B | 25 R | 14 RBI

Along with Brandon Miller, Austin White has been an offensive powerhouse for the Bristol Blues. His .388 batting average ranks 3rd in the league, making it two Bristol Blues players in the top three for batting average. Austin also leads the league in runs scored, walks, and triples. He has emerged as one of the most versatile offensive weapons in the league scoring and driving in runs in so many different ways. There is no doubt that he has been a major key to Bristols success towards the end of June.

 

OF, Mark Coley, Pittsfield

25 for 80 | .313 BA | 5 HR | 2 3B | 7 2B | 18 R | 17 RBI

Throughout this month of June, Mark Coley is a name that has been heard a lot around the league. He has proven himself to be one of the best power hitters in the league with his 5 home runs that ranks 3rdin the league. One behind his teammate Jackson Petersen. Coley has had some monster games for Pittsfield in recent weeks, becoming a huge reason why they are sitting on top of the standings. One of his best performances was in a June 11thwin against Nashua. He went 3 for 5 with four runs scored, a triple, two home runs, and five RBIs, proving himself to be a name to remember in this league.

 

 DH, Gaby Cruz, Brockton

18 for 54 | .333 BA | 3 HR | 2 2B | 6 R | 9 RBI

Brockton’s Gaby Cruz has emerged as a great player in this league and a vital part of the Brockton lineup that has found success recently. He is a very consistent hitter that has come up with some clutch hits for the Rox when they need them. His best offensive performance this season so far was in a June 20thwin over the Starfires. Cruz went 2 for 4 with a run scored, two doubles, and two RBIs in a game that the Rox won by two. He is a big part of the Brockton lineup that pitchers definitely do not want to deal with. 

 

Relief Pitcher, George Welch, Nashua

8 Games | 0.64 ERA | SV | 14 IP| 5 H | 1 R | 2 BB | 27 K | .106 BAA

Just by looking at his stat line, you can tell that George Welch dominates in the late inning situations for Nashua. He thrives in those scenarios as he is called upon to shut down the final few batters to secure the win for his team. His amazing 0.64 ERA just proves how difficult it is for these batters to face and score on Welch late in the game when runs are important. He also averages almost two strikeouts in every inning he pitches, leaving no question as to why he is the go-to guy in these situations for Nashua.