Former Major Leaguers receive league honors for 2018
(Central Islip, N.Y., Oct. 9, 2018) – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball today announced its 2018 Post-Season All-Star Team, and two members of the Long Island Ducks have been chosen. Infielder Jordany Valdespin and outfielder/hitting coach Lew Ford have been selected via voting from league club managers and executives.
“Jordany and Lew are both incredibly deserving of this honor,” said Ducks President/GM Michael Pfaff. “They proved to be among the top position players in the Atlantic League all season long, and we are certainly proud of them both for all that they accomplished in 2018.”
In his first season in the Atlantic League, Valdespin led the circuit in hits (154), runs scored (94) and triples (7) while ranking second with a .3377 batting average, finishing just .0007 behind Somerset’s Craig Massey (.3384) for the league batting title. The four-year MLB veteran also ranked second in on-base percentage (.399) and total bases (222), third in stolen base percentage (.857), and fifth in slugging percentage (.487). In 113 regular season games, the 30-year-old totaled 12 home runs, 55 RBIs, 18 doubles and 46 walks.
Valdespin compiled the Atlantic League’s longest on-base streak in 2018, reaching base safely in 32 consecutive games from June 4th to July 14th. Amid that stretch, he was selected to represent the Liberty Division at the Atlantic League All-Star Game, held at Long Island’s Bethpage Ballpark on July 11th. The Dominican Republic native was also named the Atlantic League’s Co-Player of the Month for April/May after leading the league in hits (45), runs (29), total bases (73), extra-base hits (17), and at bats (131) while playing in each of Long Island’s 31 games during that span. Valdespin was voted by Ducks fans as the Delmonte-Smelson Team MVP for 2018.
Ford’s 2018 season saw him rank in the Top 5 for several offensive categories. He led the Atlantic League with 33 doubles, his highest total since his MVP season of 2014. Additionally, he was third in RBIs (73), fourth in at bats (468) and extra-base hits (44), and fifth in hits (137). The 42-year-old played in 123 games during the regular season, second in the league only to fellow Post-Season All-Star Blake Gailen, who appeared in each of Lancaster’s 126 games. He ended the regular season with a .293 batting average, 10 home runs, 68 runs scored, 40 walks and a .353 on-base percentage.
The Central Islip resident earned his third Atlantic League All-Star Game selection in July and was chosen to take part in the pre-game Digmi Home Run Derby as well. Ford was named the Atlantic League’s Player of the Month for July after compiling a .380 batting average in 24 games while leading Long Island with six home runs, 28 RBIs, 20 runs scored, a .663 slugging percentage and a 1.083 OPS during the month. Included in the month was an 11-game hitting streak from July 8th to 25th and at least one hit in 21 of his 24 games played.
CLICK HERE to view the full 2018 Atlantic League Post-Season All-Star Team.
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.
About The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 40 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 players and 70 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.
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