Eric Young Jr. in a Sky Sox photo before he was called up to play for the Colorado Rockies
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- The Pacific Coast League announced Eric Young Jr. of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox as the 2009 PCL Rookie of the Year today, an honor annually chosen by the League’s managers and media representatives in recognition of a player’s outstanding achievements in his first year at the Triple-A level.
Currently with the Colorado Rockies in the Major Leagues, Young hit .299 with seven home runs and 43 RBI in 119 games with the Sky Sox this season prior to his call-up on August 24.
Young leads the PCL and Triple-A baseball with 58 stolen bases. His 118 runs scored not only leads the PCL but all of Minor League Baseball.The 24-year-old second baseman was voted a mid-season and post-season PCL All-Star by the League’s managers and media representatives this season.
Young has 303 stolen bases in his six professional seasons. He was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 30th round of the 2003 MLB draft and attended Chandler Gilbert (AZ) Community College before signing with the Rockies. Young is the son of former Rockies player and current ESPN broadcaster Eric Young Sr., who played for the Rockies for five seasons from 1993-1997.
The PCL Rookie of the Year award was created in 1998 when the PCL expanded to 16 teams, previous winners include Bobby Crosby with Sacramento, Felix Hernandez with Tacoma, Howie Kendrick with Salt Lake and last year’s winner Josh Whitesell of Tucson.
Other players receiving votes for the 2009 PCL Rookie of the Year award were Alcides Escobar of Nashville, John Hester of Reno and Bud Norris of Round Rock.
PCL Post-Season Awards Release Schedule:
Pitcher of the Year: Wednesday, September 2
Most Valuable Player: Thursday, September 3
Manager of the Year: Friday, September 4
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