(POMONA, NY) – Rockland Boulders outfielder/catcher, and the 2015 Can-Am League Player of the Year, Joe Maloney was named the 2015 Independent Baseball Player of the Year by Baseball America. The biweekly publication “covers baseball at every level, with an emphasis on finding the best players in high school, college and the minors and tracking their progress.”
“Joe had an incredible season here for us in Rockland,” said Jamie Keefe, Boulders Manager and the Can-Am League Manager of the Year in 2015. “His work ethic is second to none. The Boulders organization and his teammates could not be happier for him.”
Maloney becomes the 20th player ever to win the honor, joining big leaguers Chris Colabello and Morgan Burkhart. He is also ranked as the third best independent league prospect by Baseball America. The 25-year-old recently had his contract purchased by the Minnesota Twins, becoming the seventh Boulders player to be signed to a Major League organization. Maloney saw time as a corner outfielder, designated hitter, and catcher where he threw out eight runners. He contributed a pair of walk-off hits, including a game-winning, two-run homer to clinch a spot in the 2015 postseason.
In his second season with the Boulders, Maloney led an offense that eviscerated over 20 franchise and nine league records. The right-handed hitter himself set the Rockland mark for batting average in a single season, hitting .337 to go along with 14 home runs and 83 RBI. He also set the league record for runs scored with 91, while helping the team set new Can-Am highs in doubles (211), runs scored (622), and RBI (572).
Maloney also set a Boulders record for slugging percentage with an impressive .562 mark. He also finished second in the league with 123 hits, 83 RBI and 33 doubles. This is the second time Maloney has played in affiliated ball after being drafted in the Texas Rangers in 2011, reaching Class A-Advanced Myrtle Beach in 2013. Maloney becomes the second straight Can-Am League player to win the award after Quebec’s Balbino Fuenmayor earned the honor in 2014.
Despite the Boulders season being over, there are plenty of events occurring at Palisades Credit Union Park this offseason. A yearly tradition, BoulderBird’s Third Annual Trick-or-Treat will take place on Halloween night, Saturday, October 31, from 5:30pm to 8:00pm. This FREE, family-friendly event features a haunted train ride, spooky scoreboard, gobs of candy, and orange fireworks! Kids ages 12-and-under are invited for this hauntingly good time.
Adding to the Halloween spirit, the Boulders will be hosting a Haunted Clubhouse on Friday, October 23 and 30, as well as Saturday, October 31. Admission is just $5 at the door with concession stands and the Boulders Brew Pub being open. More details are available at www.RocklandBoulders.com.
As for the baseball fan yearning for the Boulders to return, 2016 season tickets are on sale now! Call (845) 364-0009 or visit the Palisades Credit Union Park box office to reserve your seats today. Benefits include a discount in the Team Store, guaranteed seats for all exhibition and playoff games, batting practice on the field, PLUS a return trip to Cooperstown, NY and the National Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame.
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