Top Gun: Richard Fitts named SAL Pitcher of the Week
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (August 29, 2022) – Hudson Valley Renegades RHP Richard Fitts has been named the South Atlantic League Player of the Week for the week of August 22-28, it was announced today by Major League Baseball. It is his third weekly award of the season, having previously been
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (August 29, 2022) *– Hudson Valley Renegades *RHP Richard Fitts has been named the South Atlantic League Player of the Week for the week of August 22-28, it was announced today by Major League Baseball. It is his third weekly award of the season, having previously been named Florida State League Pitcher of the Week twice.
The Renegades will hold a special pre-game ceremony on the field at Dutchess Stadium before the contest with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws on Friday, September 2 to recognize Fitts’ achievement. The team will make a $500 donation in Fitts’ name to the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at the Westchester Medical Center Health Network.
In his lone appearance of the week, Fitts took a perfect game into the eighth inning against the Hickory Crawdads, finishing with a line of 8.0 innings pitched, two hits allowed, one run, no walks and seven strikeouts. He is the first South Atlantic League pitcher to complete eight innings in a single start this season, and the first Renegades pitcher to do so since Wilmer Almonte on July 16, 2010 against the Williamsport Crosscutters.
“Another Pitcher of the Week Award for Richard doesn’t come as any surprise this week after the outing he had,” said Renegades Pitching Coach Spencer Medick. “Being his third time receiving this award this year, it really is a testament to the preparation he’s put in all year. Week after week, he is about as professional as they come in his preparedness, routine, and focus, with the game results highlighting his attention to his development plan. It’s been fun to watch how much progress he’s made this year from a head-down approach, really staying committed to the big picture.”
In three starts with Hudson Valley, Fitts is 2-0 with a 0.87 ERA (2 ER/20.2 IP). The right-hander boasts an impressive 21:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and opponents are hitting just .158 against him. He began the season with the Single-A Tampa Tarpons, and was promoted to the Renegades on August 9.
Fitts was drafted in the 6th round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of Auburn University. The Helena, Alabama native is in his first professional season after he did not pitch following the draft last year. He joins former Renegades RHP Matt Sauer as Hudson Valley pitchers to win SAL Pitcher of the week this season.
After Monday’s off day, the Renegades are back in action on Tuesday night hosting the Jersey Shore BlueClaws at 7:05 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. as the Gades celebrate former Yankees pitcher and Renegades staffer Joe Ausanio with a bobblehead for the first 1,000 fans, presented by Dreyer Law Offices on a Tradition Tuesday. For tickets and more information, slide to www.hvrenegades.com.
*ABOUT THE HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES *
The Renegades are in their second season as the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. They have played their home games at Dutchess Stadium in Wappingers Falls, N.Y. since 1994.
*ABOUT DIAMOND BASEBALL HOLDINGS *
Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) is a subsidiary of Endeavor, the global sports and entertainment company. DBH was formed in 2021 to support, promote, and enhance Minor League Baseball through professional management, best practices, innovation and investment. (DiamondBaseballHoldings.com).