Familia Named Organizational Pitcher of the Year

FLUSHING, N.Y. - Sand Gnats starting pitcher Jeurys Familia has been named Organizational Pitcher of the Year while Robert Carson was named the Savannah Sterling Award winner, the New York Mets announced late last week. Familia, just 19-years-old, led the Savannah pitching staff with 10 wins while Carson was a mid-season South Atlantic League All-Star selection and Pitcher of the Week recipient.

Carson and Familia, both under the age of 21, were part of a Sand Gnats pitching staff that led the South Atlantic League in ERA in 2009 with a 3.23 ERA. The Santo Domingo, D.R. native Familia finished his first full season campaign with a 10-6 record and a staff-low 2.69 ERA in 24 games (23 starts). His 2.69 ERA was good enough to place him third in the SAL at the end of the season.

The 20-year-old Carson was another one of the anchors of an impressive Savannah starting pitching rotation in 2009. A native of Hattiesburg, Miss., Carson threw the Sally's second nine-inning, complete game on July 11 in Lexington. Carson allowed just three hits and struck out eight in his first ever complete game. He finished the year, 8-10 with a 3.21 ERA.

New York gives the Sterling Award to the most valuable player at each minor league level. Ike Davis of the Binghamton Mets was named the Organizational Player of the Year to go along with Familia. Former Sand Gnat Josh Thole, who is currently hitting .333 with five RBI in 12 games since being called up to New York, was named the Binghamton Sterling Award Winner.

Mark Cohoon, who finished the 2008 season with Savannah, earned Sterling Award honors in Brooklyn for his work with the Cyclones this season. A complete list of winners is listed below.

For the most up-to-date information on the Sand Gnats during the offseason, visit www.sandgnats.com or call 912.351.9150.

2009 Sterling Award Winners
Ike Davis - Organizational Player of the Year
Jeurys Familia - Organizational Pitcher of the Year
Jesus Feliciano - Buffalo Sterling Winner
Josh Thole - Binghamton Sterling Winner
Kirk Nieuwenhuis - St. Lucie Sterling Winner
Robert Carson - Savannah Sterling Winner
Mark Cohoon - Brooklyn Sterling Winner
Jeff Flagg - Kingsport Sterling Winner
Julio Concepcion - GCL Sterling Winner
Alexander Sanchez - DSL Sterling Winner
Andres Perez - VSL Sterling Winner

Bold indicates current Sand Gnat
Bold/Italics indicates former Sand Gnat

-GNATS-