Connor Fitzsimons, Arizona League Angels
The former Bristol Eastern and CCSU backstop played 34 total games in the field, 26 coming at catcher while the other eight were at first base.
Fitzsimons was solid defensively with just four errors and two passed balls. He had 263 total chances as a catcher and 76 as a first baseman. At the plate, Fitzsimons got to bat in 33 games and hit .243 with four doubles, three triples, one home run and nine RBI.
Fitzsimons had a great game in his final appearance of the season. He went 2-for-5 with two triples, four RBI and his only stolen base.
Matt Blandino, Dayton Dragons
The former Bristol Central and Felician University star finished up his second season of professional ball with the Dayton Dragons of the Midwest League.
Blandino, who pitched for both the Billings Mustangs and the Dragons, started in 16 of the 18 games he pitched. He went 7-4 with a 4.93 ERA, 87.2 innings pitched, 54 strikeouts and 10 walks. Blandino’s longest start was seven innings, and he also had four starts of six innings. His highest strikeout total of the season was six, which he did twice.
Manny Cruz, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
Cruz played in five games with the American Association team and had five at bats.
Cruz went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts. He played two innings in the field and had two assists without an error.
Cruz also played for the Billings Mustangs of the Pioneer League (rookie ball Reds) and the Puerto Rico Islanders of the independent Empire Professional Baseball League.
