Moses, Martinez, Keuchel Garner League Honors

MIDLAND, Texas - Three members of the 2011 Corpus Christi Hooks have been chosen for end-of-the-year honors - hitting coach John Moses, outfielder J.D. Martinez and left-handed pitcher Dallas Keuchel.  The announcement of the 2011 Texas League Post-Season All-Star Team was made today by league president Tom Kayser.

Moses, in his first year in the Astros organization, is this year's recipient of the Mike Coolbaugh Texas League Coach of the Year Award.  He becomes the first Hooks coach to be so honored with the Coolbaugh award in this its fifth year as part of the league's Post-Season recognitions. 

"I'm honored to be selected," said Moses.  "But realistically, everyone on our staff deserves this award.  We battled as a staff this year, and I know our record doesn't show it, but I think it's an accomplishment for our entire staff to be able to help all the players who were promoted to Houston this year."

Under Moses' guidance, Martinez, Jose Altuve and Jimmy Paredes all received promotions directly to Houston - a first for position players in the club's seven-year history.  In addition, Jacob Goebbert, who joined the club in early May, was promoted to AAA Oklahoma City in early August. 

"John is the epitome of the dedicated, successful coach," stated Kayser.  "He is hard-working, had the trust and confidence of the players and certainly proved his worth by guiding quite a few of his charges to the Astros."

Entering play today, three Hooks rank among the top 10 batters in the league in terms of average.  Martinez stands second at .338, while Brandon Wikoff (.310) ranks sixth and Jimmy VanOstrand (.307) slots seventh.

In addition to the position players promoted to the Astros, pitchers David Carpenter and Henry Sosa found their way to Houston, while Keuchel and Xavier Cedeno are now pitching for Triple-A Oklahoma City.

The Mike Coolbaugh Texas League Coach of the Year Award has been in place since 2007 when Coolbaugh, then a coach for the Tulsa Drillers, lost his life when he was struck by a line drive while coaching first base in a game in North Little Rock.  Previous recipients include Midland's Webster Garrison (2010), Ken Patterson of Arkansas (2009), Larry Carter of Northwest Arkansas (2008) and Frisco's Scott Coolbaugh (2007), Mike's brother.

Martinez, promoted straight from Corpus Christi to Houston on July 30, played in 88 games this year with the Hooks and batted .338 with 25 doubles, 1 triple, 13 HRs and 72 RBIs.  His .338 average continues to rank second in the league.  Martinez was twice named the Texas League's Player of the Week, established a franchise record by driving in runs in nine consecutive games (April 11-21) and went 2-for-4 with a double to help the South Division win the Texas League All-Star Game. 

Martinez has played 24 games so far this season with the Astros where he is hitting .308 with 10 doubles, 5 HRs and 24 RBIs.

Keuchel received his promotion to AAA Oklahoma City on August 4.  In 20 starts this season with the Hooks, Keuchel posted a 9-7 record with a 3.17 ERA, which continues to rank third-best in the circuit.  In 127.2 innings, Keuchel held TL opponents to a .244 batting average - fourth place in the loop.  The southpaw was twice selected as the league's Pitcher of the Week, was Corpus Christi's June pitcher of the month and tossed two frames of shutout relief in this year's Texas League All-Star Game.

Balloting for the Post-Season All-Star Team was conducted among league managers, broadcasters, selected beat writers and media relations directors.

2011 Texas League Post-Season All Star Team

1B -- Matt Adams, Springfield
2B -- Thomas Field, Tulsa
3B -- James Darnell, San Antonio
SS -- Ryan Jackson, Springfield
UTL -- Grant Green, Midland
OF -- J. D. Martinez, Corpus Christi
OF -- Jermaine Mitchell, Midland
OF -- Mike Trout, Arkansas
OF -- Tim Wheeler, Tulsa
DH -- Tommy Mendonca, Frisco
C -- Salvador Perez, Northwest Arkansas
C -- Wilin Rosario, Tulsa

P -- Brad Brach, San Antonio
P -- Dallas Keuchel, Corpus Christi
P -- Shelby Miller, Springfield
P -- Garrett Richards, Arkansas
P -- Matt Shoemaker, Arkansas
P -- Joe Wieland, San Antonio

Texas League Manager of the Year -- Doug Dascenzo, San Antonio

Texas League Pitcher of the Year -- Matt Shoemaker, Arkansas

Texas League Player of the Year -- Matt Adams, Springfield

Mike Coolbaugh Texas League Coach of the Year -- John Moses, Corpus Christi