Brandon Jacobs is Recipient of Trautman Award

Each year, the Topps company, in conjunction with Minor League Baseball hands out the George M. Trautman Award for the Player of the Year in each of the sixteen domestic minor leagues. This year's recipient from the South Atlantic League is none other than Greenville Drive outfielder Brandon Jacobs.

Jacobs is the first Drive player to be recognized with this prestigious award, as he joins an elite class of former South Atlantic League honorees that includes current Major League standouts Josh Hamilton (2000) and Jayson Heyward (2008), as well as JD Martinez (2010), Jordan Pacheco (2009), and Eugenio Velez (2006), all of whom appeared in the big leagues this past season. The latest recognition adds to the list of accolades after an extremely productive season on the field for Jacobs, in which he was named to the South Atlantic League Mid-Season and End-of-Season All-Star Teams.

"Brandon had an outstanding 2011 season," noted Drive Manager Billy McMillon. "He worked very hard at getting better both offensively and defensively. He made major strides in his development and proved to be a leader on the field."

McMillon added, "If he continues to work hard and improve his overall game, I believe he has a chance to play this game at the highest of levels. Speaking on behalf of the Red Sox organization, we are all proud of what he's been able to accomplish this season. Each of these awards, especially the George M. Trautman Award, are all well deserved."

Having a breakout season in his third year in the Red Sox organization, Jacobs ranked amongst the circuit's top hitters. A 10th round selection in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, Jacobs was 6th in the South Atlantic League, while ranking 2nd amongst all Boston farmhands, with a .303 (134-for-442) batting average.

Having appeared in 115 games, Jacobs also found himself in the top 10 in the South Atlantic League in doubles (T-9th, 32), extra-base hits (9th, 52), total bases (T-7th, 223), on-base percentage (9th, .376), slugging percentage (T-6th, .505), and OPS (9th, .881).

Jacobs also set career-highs with 17 home runs, 80 RBI, 75 runs scored, 30 stolen bases, and 134 hits.

Drive President and Co-Owner, Craig Brown, stated about the announcement, "The Boston Red Sox continue to show why they are the cream of the crop when it comes to scouting, drafting, and developing young talent that will help them at the Major League level. It has been a joy to witness Brandon's development and to be part of his success during the 2011 season. We congratulate Brandon on this well-deserved honor, and wish him all the very best as he continues his development towards the big leagues."

Former Drive outfielder Chih-Hsien Chiang, who spent the majority of the 2011 season with the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs before being traded to the Seattle Mariners organization, was named the recipient of the George M. Trautman Award for the Eastern League.

Drive Ticket Plans, which are designed to fit any budget and make a great holiday gift, are currently on sale for the 2012 season. For more information log onto GreenvilleDrive.com or call (864) 240-4500 to speak with a Drive Ticket Sales Executive.