Kalamazoo, MI – 2018 Growler Matt Mervis has been named the Minor League Player of the Year by the Cubs organization. The only players to hit more home runs in a minor league season in the Chicago Cubs organization than Matt Mervis were Kris Bryant, Bryan LaHair and Javier Baez. Mervis hit 36 total home runs during the 2022 season between three different teams. He has had a rapid rise through the Cubs minor league system. Starting the season with the South Bend Cubs (Advanced-A), Matt was promoted to the Tennessee Smokies (AA) after 27 games and slugged his way all the way up to the Iowa Cubs (AAA). Mervis’ stat line for the 2022 season; .311 BA, 36 HR and 119 RBI. Matt Mervis should see himself playing at Wrigley Field very soon.

Mervis isn’t the only former Growler who earned a Minor League POY award this year. Niko Kavadas received the same award within the Red Sox organization. Meanwhile, Connor Hollis won the Texas League (AA) batting title this year as well.

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The Kalamazoo Growlers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now in its’ 29th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, 300 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit www.growlersbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Growlers as your favorite team.