Reid Brignac Named Cal League MVP

Monday the California League named Visalia Oaks shortstop Reid Brignac the 2006 MVP. Brignac was also named the League's Rookie of the Year and to the Cal League's Post-Season All-Star Team.

In 100 games as an Oak, Brignac batted .326/.382/.557 (AVG/OBP/SLG) with 26 doubles, 21 homeruns and 83 RBI. Brignac, who was promoted to AA Montgomery on August 3rd, remains among the Cal League leaders in several offensive categories. His .326 batting average is second on the circuit; he is tied for fifth in homeruns (21), fifth in RBI (83), second in slugging percentage (.557), and fourth in runs scored (82).

Since his promotion to AA, he is hitting .274 (17/62) with 4 doubles, 1 homerun, 5 RBI and 8 runs scored in 16 games for the Montgomery Biscuits.

Brignac becomes the eighth member of the Visalia Oaks to be named League MVP and the first since Marty Cordova in 1992. He is the fourth Oaks player to be named Rookie of the Year and first since 1983 when Kirby Puckett won the award.

In addition to Brignac, Oaks manager Joe Szekely was named to the post season all star team as Manager of the Year in a tie with Gary Thurman of the Inland Empire 66ers. Szekely is the sixth Visalia Manager to earn the award and first since Stu Cole won in 2003.

The Lancaster JetHawks led the Cal League with 4 All-Stars with outfielders Carlos Gonzalez and Chris Rahl, utility player Mark Reynolds and pitcher Gregory Smith making the team. The San Jose Giants led the North with Pitcher of the Year Brian Anderson and Gregorio Martinez making the squad. The rest of the 2006 All-Star team is catcher Landon Powell (Stockton), first baseman Mike Stodolka (High Desert), second baseman Emilio Bonifacio (Lancaster), third baseman Chase Headley (Lake Elsinore), outfielder Matt Miller (Modesto), designated hitter Sean Rodriguez (Rancho Cucamonga) and pitcher Jose Arredondo (Rancho Cucamonga).