Tyler Austin Voted Breakout Prospect of the Year

CHARLESTON, SC - Former Charleston RiverDogs outfielder Tyler Austin has been named the recipient of the MiLBY Award for Breakout Prospect of the Year as voted by fans nation-wide.

A native of Conyers, Georgia, Austin played in 70 games as a RiverDog before being promoted to Tampa. While in Charleston, the popular 6-2, 200-pounder batted .320 with 14 home runs and 54 RBI while stealing 17 bases. He played 36 games for High A Tampa and then two contests in AA Trenton. Combined between all levels in 2012, Austin turned in a .322 batting average with 17 HR's, 35 doubles, and 80 RBI from to go along with an impressive 23 stolen bases in 25 attempts.

"I am proud of Tyler Austin for the great season he put together this year," said RiverDogs hitting coach Greg Colbrunn. "He's a guy who has a ton of talent, and worked very hard to get better every day. It's certainly a well deserved award, and I'm happy for him."

Austin was selected by the New York Yankees in the 13th round of the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft.

He was named to the South Atlantic League's mid-season All-Star Game that was held in Charleston and hosted by the RiverDogs, having collected a SAL player of the week citation in mid-April. On July 8, Austin was selected to participate in the prestigious Futures Game.

--RIVERDOGS--