The website from minor league baseball (milb.com) has listed the best performances at each position for each organization this offseason, and a few former Valley Leaguers have been mentioned.
We are nearing the end of the list; in fact, today’s post is the second-to-last. Milb.com and writer John Parker have named former Waynesboro General (2007-08) Adam Liberatore as the relief pitcher of the year for the Tampa Bay Rays. Adam was a critical piece of the Waynesboro championship season in 2007.
He was also great in 2014. This is what Parker wrote about Adam:
The Rays farm system had a number of strong candidates for top reliever, but Liberatore’s statistics really leap out. The 27-year-old lefty went 6-1 with a 1.66 ERA, held International League hitters to a .187 average, and struck out 86 while walking just 15 over 65 innings.
The numbers are even more ridiculous following the Triple-A All-Star break: 3-0, 0.40 ERA, .113 average against in 18 appearances. Liberatore, a 21st-round pick out of Tennessee Tech in 2010, was just as effective against righties as lefties, though he was far more likely to induce ground balls from the latter. A key contributor to Durham’s success, Liberatore was dealt to the Dodgers in November.
Yes, indeed, Liberatore was traded to the Dodgers, and his new organization added him to their 40-man roster. I think Adam has a real shot at making the big league club in spring training!
At any rate, congratulations on the excellent year, Adam!
All Things Valley League 