Eloy Jimenez named 2016 Midwest League MVP and Prospect of the Year
It’s been an incredible season for Eloy Jimenez. The 19-year old outfielder has torn up the Midwest League all year. And Tuesday, Jimenez was named the league’s MVP and Prospect of the Year.
Eloy Jimenez was also named to the Midwest League Post-Season team. In addition to the post-season awards, Jimenez was the Midwest League All-Star MVP after hitting a three-run homer to tie the game for the Eastern Division team in the top of the ninth inning.
“Oh man, I feel excited and happy,” said Eloy Jimenez in a statement. “It’s tough to explain right now. I feel so happy to win this award for my team.”
“I think it’s an honor for South Bend to win the Prospect of the Year award two years in a row as a Cubs affiliate. But to win both awards is a tremendous honor for Eloy. That’s not an easy thing to do,” said Manager Jimmy Gonzalez in a statement.
Jimenez celebrated the two awards and recognition at Four Winds Field in South Bend by launching his 13th homer of the season Tuesday night, a solo shot in the fifth inning.
Eloy Jimenez has hit .335/.376/.535 with 38 doubles, three triples and 13 home runs for a .911 OPS in 107 games for Low-A South Bend.
In his first year of full-season ball, Jimenez also made headlines with the outstanding performance, both offensively and defensively, at the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game. Jimenez could have easily been named the game’s Most Valuable Player, the recognition went to the Red Sox’s Yoan Moncada.
Eloy Jimenez is third in the Midwest League in batting average (.335), sixth in on-base percentage (.376), first in slugging percentage (.535), first in OPS (.911), first in doubles (38), tied for the fourth most home runs (13), first in RBI (78), second in total bases (222), fourth in hits (139) and third in runs scored (67).