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Grizzlies' Matt Duffy named League MVP

The infielder has helped Fresno clinch their first postseason berth since 1998
By
September 3, 2015

FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno Grizzlies infielder Matt Duffy has been named the Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player, the league announced today. The 26-year-old received more than half of the votes from the 16 field managers as well as media representatives from across the league to be selected as the 79th MVP in Pacific Coast League history.

   Selected by the Houston Astros in the 20th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Tennessee, Duffy enters tonight's contest at Chukchansi Park batting .295 (141-478) with 29 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, 102 RBI, 90 runs scored, and an OPS of .845. The 102 RBI and 90 runs scored lead all PCL hitters, while the totals also rank third and ninth respectively in all of Minor League Baseball.

   "Matt has shown a tremendous consistency in providing runs for his team this season," stated PCL President Branch Rickey. "You don't have to talk to many teammates or coaches or his manager to appreciate what an extraordinary effect he has had on the success of this club. To lead the league in both RBI and runs scored is no easy task and a major reason to his being chosen league MVP."

   The MVP honor comes only three days after he was selected as one of 12 players to the All-PCL Team. He becomes the first Grizzlies player to receive the MVP honor since Calvin Murray in 1999 and the first Astros Triple-A player since right-hander Donne Wall received it with Tucson in 1995 for going 17-6 with a 3.30 ERA and 119 strikeouts in 28 starts. The last Astros Triple-A position player to receive the PCL MVP honor was James Mouton in 1993.

   Duffy has spent the entire season with Fresno and ranks first on the team in games played (124), games started (122), at bats (478), hits (141), multiHIT games (42), runs scored (90), doubles (29), RBI (102), multiRBI games (25) and total bases (228). He's received 71 starts at third base, 29 at first, and 22 at designated hitter. He recorded a career-high five hits on April 15th vs. Salt Lake, strung together a career-high tying 15-game hitting streak from July 19th to August 3rd, and has been a constant in a lineup that has produced a league-high 778 runs.

   The Boston native is in his fifth professional season and has earned the PCL MVP Award, an All-PCL Team Selection, and All-Star honors in the Texas, California, South Atlantic, and New York-Penn Leagues.

   Other players to receive votes for the 2015 PCL MVP Award were Jesus Montero (Tacoma), Jamie Romak (Reno), and former Astros' farmhand Domingo Santana (Colorado Springs/Fresno).

Below are the last 10 PCL MVP winners:

2014 - Joc Pederson (Albuquerque)

2013 - Chris Owings (Reno)

2012 - Adam Eaton (Reno)

2011 - Bryan LaHair (Iowa)

2010 - J.P. Arencibia (Las Vegas)

2009 - Randy Ruiz (Las Vegas)

2008 - Nelson Cruz (Oklahoma City)

2007 - Geovany Soto (Iowa)

2006 - Scott McClain (Sacramento)

2005 - Andy Green (Tucson)

Fresno Grizzlies Playoff Opener is September 9th at Chukchansi Park

The 2015 Pacific Northern Division Champion Fresno Grizzlies will host their first ever playoff games at Chukchansi Park on Wednesday, September 9th and Thursday, September 10th. The Wednesday 7:05 PM playoff opener will mark 6,208 days since the last playoff game held in the city of Fresno. The first 5,000 fans through the Chukchansi Park gates (open at 5:35 PM) will receive a Playoff Rally Towel, courtesy of GAR Tootelian, Inc. Playoff packages and single-game playoff tickets are available for purchase now through the Chukchansi Park Box Office, over the phone at 559.320.TIXS or online through FresnoGrizzlies.com.

ABOUT THE FRESNO GRIZZLIES

The Grizzlies, Triple-A affiliate of the first-place Houston Astros, are a member of the 16-team Pacific Coast League and are one of 30 teams in the world playing the highest level of Minor League Baseball. The 2015 season has seen the club shatter the single-game attendance record at Chukchansi Park thanks to their worldwide attention garnered from changing their name to the Fresno Tacos for one game. Entertainment is a key element to the overall experience at a Grizzlies game and the playoffs will see that be taken to the next level. To contact someone at the Grizzlies, please call 559.320.HITS or visit FresnoGrizzlies.com.