The semifinalists of the Tino Martinez Award, given to the top player in all of Division 2, have been released, and FIVE former Valley Leaguers have made the initial list!

By the way, did you know that a former Valley Leaguer won the award recently? Nathan Minnich (Winchester 2010, 2011) was named the top D-2 player in all the land in 2012. Nathan went on to be drafted in the 8th round in 2012 by the Red Sox, and played two seasons in the minors.

Here are the current five with 2016 stats:

  • Robert Bennie (Waynesboro 2014), from East Stroudsburg (Robert transferred from UVA): 413/477/670, 19 doubles, 2 triples, 10 home runs, 63 runs, 53 RBIs, 21/39 BB/K, 19 stolen bases
  • Shane Billings (Harrisonburg 2015- and league MVP), from Wingate: 444/502/639, 16 doubles, 7 triples, 4 home runs, 74 runs (!), 25/15 BB/K, 30 stolen bases
  • Nathaniel Maggio (Winchester 2015), from North Greenville (transfer from Tennessee): 324/417/714, 20 doubles, 17 home runs, 49 runs, 49 RBIs, 28/46 BB/K
  • Mike McClellan (Waynesboro 2014), from Columbus State: 422/502/743, 12 doubles, 18 home runs, 59 runs, 70 RBIs (!), 25/49 BB/K
  • Tre Porter (Strasburg 2013, Front Royal 2015), from Shepherd (and Potomac State): 380/498/789, 7 doubles, 5 triples, 17 home runs, 63 runs, 42 RBIs, 37/37 BB/K, 21 stolen bases

Hopefully one of the five will be chosen! The winner will be announced on June 6th.