Alonso Named 2013 Minor League Rawlings Gold Glove Award Winner

Minor League Baseball™ and Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc., today announced Clearwater second baseman Carlos Alonso was one of nine Minor League Baseball players who have been chosen as a recipient of a 2013 Rawlings Gold Glove Award® for defensive excellence at their position. The honorees were selected among qualifying players from the 10 domestic-based, full-season Minor Leagues. They will each receive their own Rawlings Gold Glove Award, modeled after the iconic award given to Major League Baseball's top defensive players, during the 2014 season.

"I know what an honor it is for a player to receive a Rawlings Gold Glove Award, having been involved in presenting them to the winners the last two years," said Pat O'Conner, President & CEO of Minor League Baseball. "The players really appreciate and understand how prestigious the accolade is and I want to thank Rawlings Sporting Goods for their continued support of Minor League Baseball."

Alonso posted a fielding percentage of .996 and turned a Florida State League leading 75 double plays in 117 games at second base. In 195 career games at second base, Carlos has a combined .992 fielding percentage.   The fifth year player out of the University of Delaware contributed to the Threshers achieving a FSL best .980 fielding percentage this season.

The 2013 Minor League Baseball recipients of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award are as follows:

Position       Name                    Club(s)/Major League Baseball Organization

P                  Taylor Hill                Potomac, Harrisburg, Syracuse/Washington

C                 Blake Forsythe         Binghamton/New York Mets

1B                Jordan Lennerton     Toledo/Detroit

2B                Carlos Alonso         Clearwater/Philadelphia

SS                Nick Ahmed            Mobile/Arizona

3B                Wade Gaynor          Erie/Detroit

LF                Jason Krizan            Lakeland/Detroit

CF                Dalton Pompey       Lansing/Toronto

RF                Randal Grichuk       Arkansas/Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The return of Rawlings recognizing Minor League Baseball players for their defensive prowess began again in 2011.   The St. Louis-based company named a Minor League all-star fielding team for several years in the 1960s. The honor was known as the Rawlings Silver Glove Award during this time.

About Rawlings

Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. is an innovative manufacturer and marketer of sporting goods worldwide. Founded in 1887, Rawlings is an authentic global sports brand, trusted by generations of athletes from the sandlot to the pros. Rawlings' unparalleled quality and expert craftsmanship are the fundamental reasons why more athletes choose Rawlings, and why Rawlings is the Official Batting Helmet and Ball Supplier of Major League Baseball®, the official baseball of Minor League Baseball™ and the NCAA®, and the approved baseball, basketball, football and softball of the National High School Federation®. For more information, please visit Rawlings.com or by phone at (314) 819-2800.