Mudcats' Anderson wins Minker Award

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Pitcher Cody Anderson of the Carolina Mudcats was named the 2013 winner of the Matt Minker Community Service Award. Each Carolina League club was eligible to nominate one player for consideration.

In his first year in Zebulon, Anderson spent many hours volunteering with various projects in the area. He visited the Marbles Kids Museum, participated in Miracle League camps, and instructed little leaguers in clinics and camps throughout the summer. Anderson also took time to meet fans during autograph sessions at Five County Stadium.

Anderson was promoted to the Double-A Akron Aeros on August 14th. The right-hander left the Mudcats with a 9-4 record and the Carolina League's best ERA at 2.34. The Cleveland Indians selected Anderson out of Feather River College in the 14th round of the 2011 June draft. He was named to the Carolina League All-Star team and pitched an inning in the June 18 game against the California League's stars in San Jose, Calif.

Named in honor of the late Blue Rocks team president, the Minker Award is presented to the league player who does the best job of serving his club's community during each season. Minker passed away November, 2007 after a five-year battle with cancer. He was 60.

Minker was involved in the ownership of the Blue Rocks since the franchise came to Wilmington in 1993. His construction company built Frawley Stadium, in five months. He became president of the club in 1995. During his 13 years representing Wilmington on the CL's Board of Directors, he served the league as an officer, a member of the executive committee and as league representative on the Minor League Baseball Board of Trustees.