Blue Jays prospect Justin Nicolino is the 2012 Topps Midwest League Player of the Year. (Photo courtesy of the Lansing Lugnuts)
Toronto Blue Jays prospect Justin Nicolino was named the Topps Midwest League Player of the Year today. The lefty went 10-4 with a 2.46 ERA, 119 strikeouts and 21 walks (one intentional) in 124.1 IP for the Lansing Lugnuts.
Nicolino was part of a formidable Lugnuts rotation that also included RHP Noah Syndergaard (8-5, 2.60 ERA, 122 strikeouts and 31 walks in 103.2 IP), RHP Aaron Sanchez (8-5, 2.49 ERA, 97 strikeouts and 51 walks in 90.1 IP), RHP Anthony DeSclafani (11-3, 3.37 ERA, 92 strikeouts and 25 walks in 123 IP), LHP David Rollins (6-1, 2.78 ERA, 75 strikeouts and 36 walks in 77.2 IP), RHP Jesse Hernandez (4-5, 2.26 ERA, 61 strikeouts and 19 walks in 95.2 IP) and RHP Marcus Walden (5-2, 3.10 ERA, 40 strikeouts and 30 walks in 66.2 IP).
Incidentally, Nicolino briefly pitched for the Lugnuts at the end of the 2011 season, playing for new Miami Marlins manager Mike Redmond.
You can see the entire list of the Topps Company’s Minor League Baseball Players of the Year (one winner from each league) here.
