Reckling & Bourjos Win Angels Annual Awards

ANAHEIM, CA - The Angels Thursday announced their minor league organizational awards for the 2009 season, naming Travs left-handed pitcher Trevor Reckling as Pitcher of the Year and Travs outfielder Peter Bourjos as Defensive Player of the Year. Infielder Alexi Amarista of the Cedar Rapids Kernels was named as as Player of the Year, This announcement was made by Angels' Director of Player Development Abe Flores.

Reckling, 20, began the 2008 season at single-A Rancho Cucamonga, where he posted a 1-2 mark with a 0.95 ERA (2 ER - 19 IP) and allowed nine hits and three walks with 19 strikeouts in three starts. He was then promoted to Arkansas, where he compiled an 8-7 record with one complete game and a 2.93 ERA (44 ER -135.1 IP) in 23 starts. Reckling, who finished fourth in the Texas League in ERA, also led the Travelers in wins, innings and strikeouts (106).

Overall in 2009, Reckling was 9-9 with a 2.68 ERA (46 ER - 154.1 IP) with one complete game in 26 starts. He allowed 127 hits and 78 walks while striking out 122 batters. Reckling was selected to participate in the Texas League mid-season All-Star Game and was also named to the Postseason All-Star Team. He was the Angels' Organizational Pitcher of the Month for April, and also played for the USA Team at the 2009 Futures Game and the 2009 World Cup.

Reckling graduated from St. Benedicts Prep School in Newark, NJ, and was selected by the Angels in the eighth round of the 2007 free agent draft (signing, July 13, 2007).

Bourjos, 22, spent the 2009 season at Arkansas. Defensively, he compiled a .997 fielding percentage with 294 putouts and seven assists in 302 total chances, committing just one error and taking part in five double plays in 109 games as an outfielder. His boundless range in centerfield undoubtedly cost opponents numerous chances to score throughout the season. Bourjos also batted .281 (123/437) with 72 runs scored, 16 doubles, 14 triples, six home runs on 51 RBI in 110 games. He led the Texas League in triples and also led the Travelers in runs. Bourjos was honored as the Angels' Defensive Player of the Month for May and was selected to play in the Texas League All-Star Game.

A native of Scottsdale, AZ, Bourjos attended Notre Dame High and was selected by the Angels in the 10th round of the 2005 free agent draft (signing on Aug. 18, 2005).

Amarista, 20, spent the 2009 season at single-A Cedar Rapids where he batted .319 (152/477) with 84 runs scored, 39 doubles, 10 triples, four home runs, 49 RBI and 38 stolen bases in 125 games. He led the Midwest League in batting average and ranked second in doubles (39) and triples (10) and third in hits. Amarista was selected to participate in the Midwest League mid-season All-Star Game and was named as an infielder on the Postseason All-Star Team. He received Organizational Player of the Month honors in July and Defensive Player of the Month accolades in April.

A native of Venezuela, Amarista was signed by the Angels as a free agent, Jan. 25, 2007. Overall, he has a .326 (301/922) batting average in three professional seasons.