Hudson named Texas League Pitcher of the Year; Four Cardinals named Postseason All-Stars

Springfield, MO - The Texas League announced on Friday that Springfield Cardinals RHP Dakota Hudson has been named Texas League Pitcher of the Year, becoming the first-ever Springfield Cardinal to win that award.
The Texas League also unveiled its 2017 Postseason All-Stars, with Hudson, RHP Jack Flaherty, RHP Matt Pearce and OF Anthony García earning selections. The exclusive Postseason All-Star Team is made up of the league's top players from both divisions, consisting of only eight spots for position players and six for pitchers.

Hudson, 22, went 9-4 with a 2.53 ERA through 18 starts with Springfield before being promoted to AAA-Memphis on July 28. Hudson still leads the Texas League in ERA and is the only currently qualifying hurler with an ERA under 3.00. The mark of consistency, 14 of his 18 outings were quality starts, allowing two earned runs or fewer in all but five of his games. In addition to his Postseason All-Star selection, Hudson was the starting pitcher for the North Division in the 2017 Texas League All-Star Game.

Flaherty, 21, had one of the most dominant starts to a season in recent Texas League history, going 7-2 with a 1.42 ERA through 10 Springfield starts before being promoted to AAA-Memphis on June 1. With an incredible month of April, during which he went 4-0 with a miniscule 0.56 ERA in five starts, Flaherty was recognized as both the Texas League Player of the Month and St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Month. He has continued to excel with AAA-Memphis, going 6-2 with a 2.69 ERA in 14 starts with the Redbirds.

Pearce, 23, also shut down Texas League batters while with Springfield, going 9-5 with a 3.11 ERA through 17 starts prior to being promoted to AAA-Memphis on July 17. Pearce followed Flaherty's incredible April with a dominant month of May, going a perfect 5-0 with a 0.69 ERA through five starts that month. He closed his stellar May with back-to-back nine-inning complete games on May 21 and May 26, shutting out the Missions in the latter performance. Pearce remains the only pitcher in the Texas League this year to toss two complete games, while currently ranking 3rd in ERA, 1st in WHIP (1.08) and 5th in lowest batting average allowed (.239).

Garcia, 25, has been one of the top hitters in the Texas League since joining Springfield from AAA-Memphis on April 28, hitting .292 with 15 home runs and a team-high 68 RBIs through 93 games. The slugger started his Springfield stint with a torrid month of May, hitting .350 (35x100) with four homers, seven doubles and 21 RBIs in 27 games that month. He has been outstanding with runners in scoring position all season, leading the club with a .326 average (31x95), seven home runs and 54 RBIs.

Additionally, the league announced Tulsa Drillers 1B Matt Beaty as the Texas League Player of the Year and San Antonio Missions Field Manager Phillip Wellman, a former Springfield Cardinals Hitting Coach, Texas League Manager of the Year.
Click here to view the full 2017 Texas League Postseason All-Star Team.
Route 66 Rumble Canvas Giveaway, Dexter Fowler Growth Chart Giveaway and more this weekend kick off final Regular Season Homestand
The Cardinals conclude the road trip in Northwest Arkansas on Friday at 7:05pm. Catch all the action live on Jock 98.7 FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for the Coyote's Sports Cafe Pregame Show.

The Cardinals then return home for the final homestand of the 2017 Regular Season from Saturday, August 26 - Friday, September 1. Don't miss any of the fun, including:

-Saturday, August 26, 6:10pm - Mercy Route 66 Rumble Canvas Giveaway (2,000) and Specialty Jersey Auction to benefit GYNCA. Gates open at 5:10pm.

-Sunday, August 27, 2:10pm - St. Louis Cardinals Dexter Fowler Growth Chart Giveaway (2,000), Newborns in Need Baby Supplies and Diaper Drive, Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Sunday and Kids Run the Bases. Gates open at 1:10pm.

-Monday, August 28, 6:30pm - Monday Night Baseball vs. Tulsa Drillers. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Tuesday, August 29, 6:30pm - Great Southern Bank $1 Dog Day. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Wednesday, August 30, 6:30pm - Wednesday Night Baseball vs. Arkansas Travelers. Gates open at 5:30pm.

-Thursday, August 31, 7:10pm - Budweiser St. Louis Cardinals 1967 World Series Championship Beer Stein Giveaway (2,000, age 21+) and Klement's "Buck a Brat" Night. Gates open at 6:10pm.

-Friday, September 1, 7:10pm - Fan Appreciation Day Free 2018 Ticket Vouchers and AM Pyrotechnics Friday Night Fireworks with 2017 Top Hits. Gates open at 6:10pm.

For information about becoming a Season Ticket Holder, organizing a Group Outing, booking a Birthday Party or ordering Individual Game Tickets right now, call the Front Office at (417) 863-2143 or visit SpringfieldCardinals.com.
Click here for the complete 2017 Promotional Schedule and to order your tickets right now.
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