Former Carolina Mudcats southpaw Travis Wood has been named the Southern League’s pitcher of the year in a vote by the league’s field managers, radio broadcasters and print media.
Wood is joined on the SL’s post-season All-Star team by former Mudcats teammates Juan Francisco at third base and Todd Frazier as the top utility man. All three of the former Mudcats are now playing for the Louisville Bats, who are poised to win the International League’s West Division.
Montgomery Biscuits center fielder Desmond Jennings, who now plays for the Durham Bulls, was named the circuit’s most valuable player while Ever Magallanes, who has skippered the Birmingham Barons to the dominant best record in the league, was named manager of the year.
Matt Young of the Mississippi Braves was named the league’s best hustler.
Birmingham placed five players on the all-star team, led by second baseman C.J. Retherford who was the only unanimous selection on the ballot. He is joined by teammates Tyler Flowers at catcher, John Ely as the right-handed pitcher and David Cook and Stefan Gartrell in the outfield.
The West Tenn Diamond Jaxx placed outfielder Ezequiel Carrera and designated hitter Greg Halman on the team, which also included Tennessee’s Blake Lalli at first base, Mobile’s Pedro Ciriaco at shortstop and Jacksonville’s Matt Peterson as the relief pitcher.
