USA – The 2008 Fort Myers Miracle bullpen was considered one of the best in Minor League Baseball and today that was confirmed with two relievers winning MiLBY Awards.

MILB.com has dubbed Rob Delaney as “Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year” and Anthony Slama as “Best Class A Reliever”.

“A great honor for both of those guys. They were a huge part of what we were able to do in Fort Myers this year. It gives us great pleasure that we were able to help them develop and get them moving towards the big leagues,” said Miracle Manager Jeff Smith.

Delaney posted a combined 1.23 ERA in 46 games at Fort Myers and Double-A New Britain. He collected 18 saves, struck out 72 batters while walking 11 in 66 innings and limited hitters to a .189 average.

“I had a great time this year pitching at both places. I know I had some success, but I was a little surprised at some of the numbers,” said Delaney, who was signed by the Twins as an non-drafted free agent in 2006.

The 24-year-old Delaney was named “Best Class A Reliever” in 2007, compiling a 3-0 record with 35 saves and a 1.03 ERA in stops at Class A Beloit and Fort Myers. He fanned 83 while walking 16 in 70 innings and holding batters to a .176 average. In 2007, Delaney was 28-for-29 in save opportunities at Beloit with a 0.77 ERA in 36 games before moving up to Fort Myers in mid-July.

Delaney gives credit to his pitching coaches, notably Steve Mintz and fromer Fort Myers pitching coach Eric Rasmussen. Rasmussen was recently elevated to Twins Minor League Pitching Coordinator, while Mintz will be the pitching coach for the Miracle in 2009.

The two Twins prospects helped the Miracle capture the first-half West Division title in the Florida State League, alternating in the setup and closer roles. Delaney posted 13 saves and a 1.42 ERA in 23 games before being promoted following the Florida State League All-Star Game. Slama remained and became the sole closer for the Miracle.

In just his second pro season, the 24-year-old right-hander from San Diego garnered 25 saves, posting a miniscule 1.01 ERA in 51 games.

Overall, Slama struck out 110 batters in 71 innings, with his 13.94 strikeouts-per-nine ranking third among all Minor League relievers. His .173 opponents’ batting average was eighth among Minor League relievers. He has struck out 159 batters in 102.2 career innings pitched.

Slama, a 39th-round draft pick in 2006 from the University of San Diego, was named last week as the winner of the Jim Rantz Award as the Minnesota Twins’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

Both right-handers are currently sharing closing duties with the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League.

“Rob and I had a great time in Fort Myers. We have developed a great friendship and hopefully someday we will pitch together again at Hammond Stadium in a Twins uniform”, said Slama.

Media Release: Fort Myers Miracle

Tags: USA