Stomper pitcher and manager receive post-season honors

Sonoma Stompers right-hand pitcher Tyler Garkow has been named the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs the league’s Pitcher of the Year. In addition, Stompers manager Takashi Miyoshi shared Manager of the Year honors with Vallejo Admirals skipper PJ Phillips.

Garkow, the league leader in strikeouts (97) and ERA (2.56), received 25 more votes than the next-closest contender. In August, he left the Pacific Association to be called up to the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League.

“We’re all doing the best we can and we’re still fighting and scratching and clawing for that dream. I’m just fortunate enough to be one step closer,” Garkow said after his last start as a Stomper. “It doesn’t mean I’m more deserving than anybody else, I just got the opportunity. I just have to make the most of it.”

Garkow’s nearly-100 strikeouts came in just 13 starts for Sonoma. In that span, Garkow did not pitch less than five innings in a start. He recorded 10 or more strikeouts three times.

“The voters got this one right. Tyler was a tremendous asset for us, and a big reason for so much of our success this season. I’m thrilled we were able to have him as long as we did, and I’m even more proud of what he accomplished, and what is in store for him in the future,” said Stompers President and General Manager Theo Fightmaster.

“Yoshi is an enormous asset to our organization and to this league. He’s poured his heart and soul into this organization, and the return on that has been great success for our ball club and the players who’ve gone on to higher levels,” Fightmaster said of the Stompers manager.

“Additionally, you won’t find a single manager in this league more professional, harder working and more respectful of the game.”

When he was promoted in 2015, Miyoshi became the first Japanese-born manager in American professional baseball. He notched his 100th managerial win in July.

Vallejo outfielder Tillman Pugh was picked the league’s Most Valuable Player. San Rafael’s Michael Rizzitello was Rookie of the Year and Vallejo’s Sammy Gervacio the Reliever of the Year.

Defensive players of the year were Max Beatty of San Rafael, pitcher; Isaac Wenrich of Sonoma, catcher; Vinny Guglietti of Pittsburg, first base; Ordomar Valdez-Martinez of Pittsburg, second base; Chris Fornaci of Vallejo, third base; Jose Garcia of Pittsburg, shortstop; Brennn Metzger of Sonoma, left field; Matt Hibbert of Sonoma, center field; and Miles Williams of San Rafael, right field.