Add one more line to Franklin Barreto’s list of accomplishments but write this one in neon lights on the marquee.
The Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»Canadians shortstop was named the Baseball America Player of the Year for the class-A short-season for his record-setting season that helped propel the club to its fourth consecutive appearance in the Northwest League championship series.
Barreto, an 18-year-old Venezuelan in his second year with the Blue Jays franchise, set C’s records with 99 runs, 87 RBIs and 153 hits. He also set a club record with 44 doubles and ranked in the top three of four other statistical categories for the Northwest League.
“We asked a lot of Frankie this past summer and yet he achieved success beyond our expectations,” said Canadians manager John Schneider in a prepared statement. “We couldn’t be prouder of how he handled himself on the diamond all season long and this acknowledgement by Baseball America is very well deserved.”
Barreto, a five-foot-nine right-hander, also had hits in each of the Canadians four playoff games. He went 5-for-18 (batting .278) with one RBI in two Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»wins and two losses.
Barreto was named the 2014 Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»Canadians MVP and, to add to the accolades, he shared the clubs honour as the offensive player of the year with Ryan McBroom.
Canadians left-handed pitcher, six-foot-four Dominican Jairo Labourt was also recognized by Baseball America as an All-Star after going 5-3 and leading the Northwest League with a 1.77 ERA in 15 starts for Vancouver.Â
Road to five
The Canadians will open their 2015 season on the road in Salem-Keizer, Ore. against the Volcanoes on June 18. As they work to return to the championship series for the fifth straight year, Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»will host its first home stand of the summer on June 26 (that’s a Friday night) against the defending Northwest League champion Hillsboro Hops.
