ELKVILLE, IL - At the end of the season, the Prospect League has an annual award, the Mike Schmidt Award for Player of the Year Award that is voted on by each team's field manager, general manager and one local media representative, selected by the general manager of the local team.

The Cape Catfish playing in their inaugural season means there is a lot of firsts this season, including, first pitch, first strike, first hit, first home run, first win, and this season it could mean that the Cape Catfish may have their first Prospect League Mike Schmidt Award winner.

Right-fielder Andrew Stone, from Cross Lanes, West Virginia, a sophomore at West Virginia State University, is certainly playing an MVP caliber season through his first 37 games, leading the league with a .397 batting average (56-for-141), posting slash stats of .397/.485/.702, while leading the league in runs scored (42), stolen bases (24) and runs created (46.406).

According to one Prospect League insider, scouting Stone this week, "Stone is a borderline five-tool player once you write his name on the lineup card, he isn't going to hurt you in any aspect of the game." 

In a recent interview with SEMOBALL.COM, Cape Catfish manager and former Major League Baseball player Steve Larkin spoke highly of Stone's play this season. "Andrew Stone is a special player," Larkin said. "He works hard, comes in with a smile on face and is a great ballplayer. He's a player that you'd want to have on your team."

Stone being named to the West All-Star Team this month is a given, and the annual Prospect League Mike Schmidt Player of the Year Award may be on the horizon as well.

PHOTO CREDIT - SEMOBALL.COM