Santana Wins Another Award

Cleveland Indians minor league catcher Carlos Santana was named the Topps Player of the Year in the Eastern League on Thursday. In all, thirteen major league farm systems were represented in the annual George M. Trautman Awards, presented in the 16 domestic minor leagues by the Topps Company of New York, in conjunction with Minor League Baseball.

Santana was also previously named the Eastern League MVP at the end of the season. He was the key component to Akron's championship run hitting .290 (124-for-428) with 30 2B, 2 3B, 23 HR, 97 RBI and 91 runs scored in 130 games. He led the league in slugging% (.530), OPS (.943) and walks (90), was second in home runs, RBI and OBP (.413), and was third in runs scored. His 90 walks were a new franchise record.

Santana was also an Eastern League mid and postseason All-Star selection and played for the World Team in the Futures Game in St. Louis.

Photo courtesy of Ken Carr