Drive Alums Receive Red Sox Minor League Awards

The Boston Red Sox recognized the winners of their 2015 Minor League Awards prior to a game this past weekend at Fenway Park, and five Greenville Drive alums received awards, including Williams Jerez, Javier Guerra and Yoan Moncada off this season's roster.

The winners of the Red Sox Minor League Awards are selected by Boston's baseball operations department and minor league roving instructors.

Jerez was selected as the Pitcher of the Year. The left-hander was a force in the Drive bullpen during the first two months of the season, posting a 2.06 ERA in 14 appearances before receiving a promotion to A-Salem. He finished 2015 in AA-Portland and his total numbers for the season include a 5-3 record, a 2.54 ERA, four saves and 86 strikeouts over 88 2/3 innings in 41 games.

Guerra was named the Defensive Player of the Year. He started 109 games at shortstop in 2015, and all season long, the native of Panama impressed fellow players, coaches and fans with his consistency in making the routine play, his penchant for making highlight-reel plays and his plus instincts. Guerra was part of 79 double plays this season while posting a .954 fielding percentage.

Moncada was awarded the Baserunner of the Year. The native of Cuba showed off his electrifying baserunning ability over 81 games with the Drive in 2015, stealing 49 bases, good for third in the South Atlantic League, while being caught only three times. His numbers took off following a move to the leadoff spot in the second half of the year, as he swiped 45 bases in 56 games in that timeframe.

Two other Drive alums were recognized by the Red Sox as well.

Sam Travis (2014) was selected as the Offensive Player of the Year. In 131 games this season between Salem and Portland, the first baseman hit .307 with 150 hits, 32 doubles, six triples, nine homers, 78 RBI, 59 walks and a .381 on-base percentage while also stealing 19 bases.

Right-handed pitcher Jonathan Aro (2014) was selected as the Lou Gorman Award winner, given to a player who has demonstrated dedication and perseverance in overcoming obstacles while working his way to the majors. Aro overcame health problems as a teenager in the Dominican Republic to sign with the Red Sox in 2011, and after beginning the 2014 season in Greenville, he shot all the way up to the Boston roster in the middle of 2015.