Hardy Named Royals Minor League Pitcher Of The Year
Wilmington, DE - The ace of the 2007 Wilmington Blue Rocks pitching staff earned another stripe on Tuesday, as left-hander Rowdy Hardy was selected by the Kansas City organization as the Alex George Royals Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Along with Hardy, former Wilmington shortstop Mike Aviles was chosen by the Royals front office as the system-wide Player of the Year, his second such honor.
Hardy dominated the Advanced Class A Carolina League with a 15-5 mark and a stingy 2.48 ERA in 26 appearances for the Rocks. The 25-year-old Dallas, TX native led the circuit in victories, complete games (three) and innings pitched (167.0) en route to being tabbed as the Carolina League's Pitcher of the Year at season's end. Additionally, the Royals organization named the Austin Peay State University product the Blue Rocks Pitcher of the Year last August.
Meanwhile, Aviles had a fine season at Triple-A Omaha, hitting .296 with 17 home runs and 77 RBIs in 133 games for the O-Royals. The 26-year-old infielder also won Kansas City's Minor League Player of the Year award in 2003 while playing rookie ball for the Arizona Royals. A Blue Rock for one season, Aviles spent 2004 on the Riverfront, posting an impressive .300 batting average to go along with six home runs and 69 RBIs in 126 games.