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By Stephanie Storm
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Thursday, Aug 28, 2008
Wes Hodges took the news of being honored as the Eastern League Rookie of the Year late Wednesday afternoon the same way he's handled all the other awards that have come his way this season.
After a polite thank you and humble acceptance, he often looks like he's trying to figure out what all the fuss over him is about.
''I didn't even know there was such an award in this league,'' said Hodges, the Aeros third baseman, ''so it's not like I set out to win it. But it is an honor to be recognized.''
Hodges' Rookie of the Year award comes on the heels of last week's announcement that he was the lone Aeros player named to the league's postseason all-star team.
It also follows Hodges' Eastern League Player of the Week award for the period ending June 15, being named to the Southern Division roster for the 2008 mid-season all-star game and playing for the US Team in the 2008 Futures Game at Yankee Stadium.
''Wes has always had high standards and expectations put on him because of his ability,'' Indians farm director Ross Atkins said. ''And yet he continues to move at a fast clip.''
The Tribe drafted Hodges with their second pick in 2006 as a junior out of Georgia Tech. Now in just his second full professional season, Hodges has all but mastered the Double-A level.
Hodges, 23, has been one of the top offensive players in the Eastern League this season, batting .285 (138-for-484) with 25 doubles, three triples, 16 home runs, 91 RBI, and 66 runs scored in 128 games.
The native of Chattanooga, Tenn., ranks second in the league in RBI and also ranks among the league leaders in hits (138, tied for 4th), total bases (216, 6th) and games played (128, tied 7th).
Hodges has reached base in all but 25 of the games he has played in this season, including a streak of 25 in a row from June 3 to June 25 and also had 38 multiple-hit games.
Despite such gaudy numbers, Hodges recently found his way out of a lengthy second-half slump that left him searching through video for answers.
''I just didn't feel good when I was in the box for a while there,'' he said. ''There was something mechanically I was doing wrong. It took awhile — although it's something I knew about — but you just tend to get away from things when you're having success.''
What Hodges finally found on film was that he wasn't keeping his weight on the inside ball of his foot when he began his swing.
''Like anyone, I had my ups and downs,'' said Hodges, who has committed a team-high 27 errors. ''But I'm glad I struggled. This is the minor leagues, you're supposed to learn stuff.''
Notebook
Wednesday's game against the visiting Altoona Curve was postponed due to inclement weather. It is scheduled to be made up as part of a doubleheader today at Canal Park beginning at 6:05 p.m. Both games will be seven innings.
Stephanie Storm can be reached at sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com.
Wes Hodges took the news of being honored as the Eastern League Rookie of the Year late Wednesday afternoon the same way he's handled all the other awards that have come his way this season.
Get the full article here.
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