San Jose Giants Receive Two 2013 MiLBY Award Nominations

SAN JOSE, CA- MiLB.com announced today their nominees for the 2013 MiLBY Awards. This season there are five video categories and eight standard categories. Winners from each category are determined based on fans' votes. Two members of the San Jose Giants 2013 team received nominations. Left-handed starting pitcher Ty Blach was nominated for Best Starting Pitcher, while first baseman Ricky Oropesa's California League North Division Series Game 5 home run was nominated for Best Moment.

A 5th-round draft pick from Creighton University in the 2012 draft, Blach (12-4, 2.90 ERA) won the California League ERA title in his rookie professional season. The left-hander walked only 18 batters compared to 117 strikeouts in 130 1/3 innings and was the lone Giant to be selected to the postseason California League All-Star team.

Ricky Oropesa joined the team in early July after beginning the season in Double-A Richmond. After spending all of 2012 in San Jose, Oropesa's return in 2013 added left-handed power to the middle of the Giants' order. The first baseman showcased his value in the playoffs with his biggest swing coming in the deciding Game 5 of the California League North Division Series. With two out in the bottom of the first inning he gave the Giants an early 2-0 lead with a deep home run to right center field, his fourth consecutive contest with a long ball. Oropesa's swing helped lift the Giants to the series clinching victory, securing the team the 2013 North Division Title.

Both players need fan votes to win their respective categories. Fans can vote an unlimited number of times by clicking here, following the link below or voting directly on MiLB.com. Voting ends Tuesday, October 22. For more information visit sjgiants.com.

Vote here: http://www.milb.com/news/awards/y2013/index.jsp