Welcome to the weekly Top 5 presented by Northwoods League correspondent Bradley Smart from the blog Smart on Sports.
The weekly top five hitters/pitchers rankings have come out, and the Willmar Stinger’s Marc Flores takes the top hitting spot while Wisconsin Rapids Rafter’s JP Feyereisen pulls in the top pitching spot.
Hitters
A potent group of hitters make up the rankings, from the league leader in home runs to the league leader in doubles. However, most of this ranking is made up from the North division, including the top spot, slugging first baseman Marc Flores from the Willmar Stingers.
1. Marc Flores, 1B, Willmar Stingers
The University of Hawaii product can hit, as he holds a .345 batting average with ten home runs and 49 RBI, tied for first on the list. Flores has added 20 doubles (first in the league) and 43 runs (second in the league). The senior also leads the league in slugging with a .519 mark and has been a cornerstone for the 31-22 Stingers, who currently sit nine and a half games back from the Waterloo Bucks in the North Division.
2. Chesny Young, IF, Waterloo Bucks
One of the league leaders in hits with 61, Young has been an anchor on offense for the first place Bucks. Hitting .347 over 43 games, he also leads the league in runs scored with 47 and is second in walks with. Young’s added 11 doubles, 32 RBIs and swiped ten stolen bases as well.
3. Andrew Sohn, SS, Alexandria Blue Anchors
Sohn appears in his third straight player rankings with a .364 average, 39 runs scored and 29 RBIs. The Blue Anchors are currently 18-35, and 22.5 games out of first but that hasn’t stopped Sohn from playing some of the best baseball in the league. The league leader in hits with 80, as well as a .402 on base percentage and 23 stolen bases make him a threat on the bases as well as at the plate.
4. Keith Curcio, OF, Duluth Huskies
Curcio, a sophomore from Florida Southern doesn’t normally hit for power, but he gets on base. He holds a .448 on base percentage and is second in the league with hits, as well as having ten doubles. The speedy Huskies outfielder has also swiped 24 stolen bases. Curcio’s added 33 runs scored and knocked in 34 for Duluth, who sit in second place by nine games.
5. Donnie Dewees, OF, Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
Dewees, a freshman from North Florida, has taken the Northwoods League by storm. A starter in the All-Star game, Dewees went 2-3 with a run scored to top off an impressive year. He has a .308 average to go with 40 runs scored and 33 runs batted in, as well as nine home runs and 18 stolen bases. A multi-tool player, Dewees has been a bright spot for the sub-.500 Rafters.
Pitchers:
Unlike the Madison Mallards last week, no team repeats in the pitcher rankings, and the top spot goes to JP Feyereisen from the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters.
1. J.P Feyereisen, RP, Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
Feyereisen has adjusted to his new role of a relief pitcher (he was the No. 1 starter at UW-Stevens Point), and been dominant. He’s made 22 appearances out of the pen, and is 3-1 with a 1.16 ERA and 11 saves, second in the league. Over the 30.1 innings he’s thrown, he’s also added 38 strikeouts and allowed just eight walks and 17 hits, good for a 0.84 WHIP.
2. Adam Dian, RP, Waterloo Bucks
The Waterloo Bucks have a 41-13 record and sit atop the North Division, and one of those reasons is Adam Dian and their shutdown pen. Dian made an appearance in the All-Star game and got a save, but he’s been dominant all summer. Holding a 0.43 ERA over 18 games, he hasn’t given up an earned run since July 2nd. Dian’s thrown 21 innings and has 40 strikeouts to just seven walks and nine hits. He also has six saves.
3. Sam Forkert, SP/RP, Madison Mallards
Forkert’s done a little bit of everything for the Mallards, appearing as a long reliever, a closer and has even made some spot starts. He’s been very reliable, holding a 0.77 ERA over fifteen games, totaling 34.2 innings pitched. Forkert has struck out 35 as well, and walked just nine to give him a 0.87 WHIP.
4. Jess Amedee, RP, Mankato MoonDogs
Amedee has been dominant out of the pen for Mankato, posting a 2.28 ERA over 20 appearances. He’s also added ten saves over 23.2 innings pitched, and has 41 strikeouts to just fifteen walks. Amedee has held opponents to a .231 average and holds a 1.5 WHIP.
5. Luke Staub, SP, Madison Mallards
A second Mallard rounds out the Top 5, as Staub has been an ace for Madison. The league leader in ERA with a 1.57 mark, Staub is 3-3 over eight starts and 46 innings pitched. The North starter at the All-Star game, he’s also struck 42 to just six walks. Staub has 0.83 WHIP and has held opponents to just a .192 average.
Bradley Smart (@bradleysmart15) is a freshman in high school who is an avid sports fan who also writes about sports. He also has a blog, Smart On Sports where he writes about all kind of sporting news, from baseball to the Super Bowl.
