Whalen heads Hamilton Cardinals awards list
* RHP Tyler Whalen earned minor bantam pitcher of the year at the Hamilton Cardinals banquet and he fared well when promoted to bantam too. .... 2014 Canadian draft list 2013 Canadians in the Minors 2013 Canadian collegians playing summer ball 2013 Canadians in College Letters of Intent
By Bob Elliott
Long and lean right-hander Tyler Whalen was presented with the best minor bantam pitcher of the year award at the annual Hamilton Cardinals banquet at the Michelangelo Banquet Centre.
And Whalen wasn’t bad at the bantam level either.
Promoted to pitch for Hamilton at the OBA bantam eliminations at Mississauga, Whalen pitched in the second game against the Thornhill Reds. Brought in to pitch the sixth, he was on the mound in the 10th working five scoreless innings, fanning seven.
Earlier in the season he worked two innings in an exhibition game against the London Badgers allowing one run in two innings, while striking out four.
Against players his same age, Whalen did just fine too.
His best game came in Dayton, Ohio when Hamilton battled the Steal City Selects to an 8-8 tie. Whalen pitched a complete game allowing eight runs -- five earned -- on eight hits and five walks. He fanned four, throwing 138 pitches -- 84 for strikes.
Whalen also struck out 12 twice, pitching in 5 2/3 in both outings: a loss against the Windsor Stars and a win over the Oakville A’s.
He fanned 11 in four innings in a triumph over the Welland Mustangs; nine in 6 2/3 innings against the Georgetown Eagles and eight in six innings in a win over the Riverside Royals.
Factoring in 11 of the minor bantam Cardinals 23 wins, with six wins and five saves, Whalen was 6-4. He walked 38 and struck out 116 in 78 innings with a 1.36 ERA.
“I’d like to get better next year,” said Whalen, who credits coaches Rick Gallo and Dennis Reynolds for his mound development.
Whalen said he has an 87% average and his favorite player is Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes since he “loves the energy and how he makes the extra play.”
Distinguished guests included former parent of the year (a multiple time winner) Len Jankowski, John Hashimoto, Diane Tsiflikiotis and Minnesota Twins scout Schroeder Nicholls.
Kenny Zamberlin, son of Hamilton Ti-Cats linebackers coach, John Zamberlin, who played six years with the New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs, stumped the high-paid guest speaker with a football question.
As the saying goes ... a good time was had by all. Especially since Dean Dicenzo was not in attendance since he was in the process of moving to either Ancaster or Binbrook.
Awards Presented
Midget
Offensive: Marion Krupa.
Defensive: Gavin Barnard.
Pitching: Colin Harold.
Decication: Quinn Johnson
Major Bantam 1
Offensive: Brandon Chong.
Defensive: Brendan Kelly-Ruetz.
Pitching: Noah Skirro.
Decication: Adam DelFabbro.
Major Bantam 2
Offensive: Matthew Araujo.
Defensive: Alex Davey.
Pitching: Brett Filko.
Decication: David Knaus.
Minor Bantam
Offensive: Michael Ssemanda.
Defensive: Jordan Robinson.
Pitching: Tyler Whalen.
Decication: Nolan Gallo.
Major Peewee 1
Offensive: Ryan Magdic.
Defensive: Ben Woodhouse.
Pitching: Ian Jordan.
Decication: Cameron McLeod
Major Peewee 2
Offensive: Sebastian Halkett.
Defensive: Jacob Gajic
Pitching: Michael Wheaton
Decication: Daniel Kielbasa.
Minor Peewee 1
Offensive: Bryce Arnold.
Defensive: Ryan Stepien.
Pitching: Josh Palmer.
Decication: Seth Cabezas.
Minor peewee 2
Offensive: Noah Godfrey.
Defensive: Michael Butterfield.
Pitching: Zack Brady.
Decication: Liam Walsh.
Major Mosquito
Offensive: Harrison Farrugia.
Defensive: Thomas Matsell.
Pitching: Malcolm McLeod.
Decication: Liam Bistoyong.
Minor Mosquito
Offensive: Joel Palmer.
Defensive: Matthew Underwood.
Pitching: Carson Johnson.
Decication: Zach Woodworth.
Rookie ball
Offensive: Dawson Matsell.
Defensive: Eric Gillis.
Pitching (throwing award): Justin DeZoete.
Decication: Matthew McKelvey.