2012 EWL Most Improved Player Adam Vassallo
Vassallo, left fielder and cleanup hitter for the Fish Sticks, has been named the first ever winner of the EWL Most Improved Player award. In a close vote, Vassallo edged out the five other players nominated for the award and received by far the most first place votes after delivering a career season in 2012.
He first showed signs of what he was capable of in the 2011 playoffs when his clutch late-game heroics helped push the Fish Sticks to the championship. He picked up where he left off in early 2012, showing increased power in addition to his already stellar fielding. Vassallo not only improved in every offensive category, in some cases doubling or even tripling his 2011 output, but he established himself as an elite-level talent in the EWL. He finished the season as a legitimate MVP candidate and was among the league leaders multiple offensive categories. Some of his improvements from 2011 include:
– His batting average increased by over 100 points from .403 to .509.
– He was one hit shy of doubling his 2011 season hit total of 29 with 57 in 2012.
– He nearly doubled his 2011 doubles total from 7 to 13 in 2012.
– After hitting 1 triple in 2011, he hit 6 in 2012.
– His slugging % increased from .819 to 1.321.
– He averaged less than a run scored per game in 2011 with only 13 runs, but scored over 2 runs a game in 2012 with 42 runs scored in 20 games.
– After accumulating only 14 RBI in 16 games in 2011, he had 48 RBI in 2012
– He more than tripled his homerun total from 7 in 2011 to 22 in 2012
In addition to these improvements, he played in all 20 games in 2012 and hit safely in all of them, a remarkable feat. He has an active regular season hitting streak of 23 games. The only statistical category he didn’t improve on was putouts; he collected 80 in 2011 but only 73 in 2012.
Vassallo’s previous awards include being named an EWL Field Master in 2011.
Vassallo narrowly received more votes than Brad, of Downtown Bobby Brown, and Ron, of the Caucasians. Brad also significantly increased his production at the plate in 2012 along with becoming one of the finest defensive players in the game. He more than tripled his putout total from 2011 and increased all of his offensive numbers as well. Ron improved his batting average by nearly 250 points and improved his already impressive power numbers from 2011. Vassallo, Brad, and Ron were all deserving candidates after turning in impressive 2012 seasons.
