Joey Gallo, Phil Klein nominated for MiLBy Awards

FRISCO, TEXAS (SEPTEMBER 26, 2014) - Two members of this year's Frisco RoughRiders squad have been singled out as nominees for MiLBY Awards to honor their achievements during the 2014 season. Third baseman Joey Gallo and pitcher Phil Klein have been nominated for "Top Offensive Player" and "Top Relief Pitcher," respectively. Additionally, the Texas Rangers were nominated for "Best Farm System."

Fans may vote on who they think should win these awards and many others through October 23. The winners will be announced for the 13 categories from October 23 - 31. 

In addition to being in the running for the best hitter in the minors, Gallo has also been nominated for "Top Home Run." The 20-year-old slugger hit a mammoth blast off the scoreboard in Winston-Salem while playing for the Advanced-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans early in the season. Gallo finished 2014 with 42 home runs, the second-most among all North American professional baseball players. Between Myrtle Beach and Frisco, he hit .271/.394/.615 with a 1.009 OPS, 19 doubles, three triples, 106 runs batted in 87 walks and 97 runs scored.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR JOEY GALLO AS TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYER

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR JOEY GALLO'S BLAST AS TOP HOME RUN

Klein, 25, experienced a breakout 2014 campaign that started in Frisco and ended in Arlington as an effective pitcher out of the Rangers bullpen. In 33 minor league appearances between the RoughRiders and Triple-A Round Rock, the former Youngstown State star went 3-0 with a 0.52 ERA (3 ER/51.2 IP), ten saves (in ten chances), 70 strikeouts, 0.81 WHIP and a .132 batting average against. During his entire minor league stint this season, Klein did not allow and extra-base hit. He did not yield a run over his final 22 games before receiving an August 1 promotion to Texas.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR PHIL KLEIN AS TOP RELIEF PITCHER

The Rangers' eight minor league affiliates posted the highest combined winning percentage (.565) of any major league organization during the 2014 season. Three of Texas' four full-season minor league teams won at least 80 regular season games (Myrtle Beach - 82; Frisco and Hickory - 80) and five affiliates made the postseason (Frisco, Myrtle Beach, Spokane, AZL Rangers and DSL Rangers 1). The DSL Rangers 1 won the Dominican Summer League Championship while the Pelicans were the runners-up in the Carolina League. Additionally, the Rangers placed 20 total players among Baseball America's "Top 20 Prospects" in the Texas, Carolina, South Atlantic, Northwest and Arizona Leagues. 

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR THE RANGERS AS OWNERS OF THE BEST FARM SYSTEM

For tickets to see the RoughRiders in 2015, please call (972) 731-9200, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.RidersBaseball.com.