Garrett Cooper and Josh Hader named Shuckers Players of the Month
BILOXI, MS. - Biloxi Shuckers infielder Garrett Cooper and left-handed pitcher Josh Hader have been named the clubs Players of Month for May, as presented at a press conference at the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art in Biloxi on Wednesday.
Cooper, 25, held a .322 batting average with 14 RBI and a team-leading 12 doubles during 28 games in the month of May. The Brewers sixth round draft choice in 2013 leads the club and ranks eighth in the Southern League with a .301 average through 46 games. The Manhattan Beach, CA native and Auburn product had nine multi-hit performances, and five hitting streaks of three games or more, setting a season-high with three hits on May 8 against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Cooper is currently riding a four-game hitting streak, going 5-for-13 with a double and three RBI.
Hader, 22, posted a record of 1-1 with a 0.96 ERA in five starts. The left-handed pitcher struck out 33 and walked eight in 28 innings, holding the opposition to a .189 batting average and a WHIP of just 0.93. The native of Maryland has allowed just one hit to left-handed hitters (1-for-34) over the course of the season, and has not allowed more than one earned run in any of his 10 starts. The Millersville, MD native had five-or-more strikeouts in each of his May starts, and tied a season-high with eight on May 16 against the Chattanooga Lookouts. The Shuckers' lefty leads the Southern League with a 0.88 ERA and 65 strikeouts, while having the third lowest WHIP of an even 1.00. His 65 strikeouts are tied for fourth in all of Minor League Baseball.
Josh is considered the No. 4 prospect in the Brewers farm system and top left-handed pitcher. MLB.com ranks the 22-year-old as the No. 56 prospect in baseball and fifth-best left-handed pitching prospect.
The Shuckers will partner with the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art each month to award the top performers of the Biloxi Shuckers. The Museum features a new exhibit entitled "Our Love Affair of Baseball", a multi-media exhibition and all-star Friday luncheon series that celebrates and showcases the long-running love affair with America's pastime. The exhibition began on May 10 and stretches to November 4 and highlights the Biloxi Shuckers Inaugural Season on the Gulf Coast in 2015.
The Shuckers will look to tie their longest home winning streak in game two on Wednesday night at MGM Park. RHP Adrian Houser (2-5, 6.65) takes the mound for Biloxi, while RHP Chris Ellis (6-2, 3.00) toes the rubber for Mississippi. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m., with coverage starting at 6:50 p.m. on the Biloxi Shuckers' Radio Network's flagship station WGCM 1240 AM, 100.9 FM, Pascagoula's WPMO 1580 AM and the TuneIn Radio app.
The promotions continue on Thursday with Double Play Thursday $2 ballpark favorites on Thursday, Biloxi Shuckers T-Shirt Giveaway, presented by the Mississippi National Guard on Friday, June 3rd and another Post-Game Fireworks Show on Saturday, June 4th.
About the Biloxi Shuckers:
The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers and a member of the Southern League. For up-to-date news and notes throughout the offseason, visit biloxishuckers.com, follow the club on Twitter (@biloxishuckers), Instagram (@officialbiloxishuckers) or like the team on Facebook (facebook.com/biloxishuckers).