It may be the off-season in baseball’s Mexican Pacific League (LMP) but the Guadalajara-based Charrros de Jalisco are continuing to make headlines after finishing runners-up to the Tomateros de Culiacan in their debut campaign.
This week, two Charros players were recognized for their outstanding efforts throughout the season. Juan Manuel “Manny” Rodriguez took home the Most Valuable Player Award, while Brian Broderick won the Isidro Marquez Trophy as Reliever of the Year. Coach Juan Navarrate also won the Manager of the Year award, after leading the Charros to a 42-26 record.
“It’s a great honor,” said Californian-born Broderick on learning about the award. “It was a great experience being in Guadalajara and I would love to come back next year.”
Broderick’s stats for the 2014-2015 LMP season were impressive. He saved 16 games in 17 chances and had a win/loss record of 3-1. He allowed just two walks in 26 innings pitched while striking out 23. His 0.68 ERA over that time was matched by his WHIP of 0.68. Opposing hitters managed to hit just .176 off of the masterful right hander.
Broderick was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 21st round of the 2007 MLB draft. He was picked up by the Washington Nationals in 2011 but was returned to the Cardinals in 2012. Broderick was reacquired by the Nationals that same year and traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks before the start of the 2014 season. He signed with the Los Angeles Angels after the 2014 MLB season but was traded to the Kansas City Royals in December 2014. Broderick has now joined up with World Series runners-up Kansas City Royals in Arizona for spring training as a non-roster player.
Rodriguez finished the season with a .341 batting average (3rd), 93 hits in 67 games (1st), 23 doubles (2nd), ten home runs (T3rd) and 48 RBIs (2nd). He led the league in Total Bases with 146 and had 33 Extra Base Hits. His .535 Slugging Percentage was also tops in the league.