IBL Announces Year-End Awards

CAMBRIDGE – Barrie Baycats first baseman Jordan Castaldo was named Rawlings Intercounty Baseball League Most Valuable Player for 2019.

Castaldo earned 35 first-place votes after slashing a .453 average with fifteen home runs and forty-seven RBI, earning the IBL’s Triple Crown honour. He finished top of the league in several offensive categories and helped the Barrie Baycats finish first in the regular season.

Welland Jackfish first baseman Brendon Dadson was named the IBL Rookie of the Year.

Dadson slashed .321 with one home run and 19 RBI. He also added nine doubles and two triples.

Dadson’s 27 votes were three more than Toronto's Ryan Santos, who hit .365 with three doubles and nine RBI.

The IBL also announced its all-star rosters.

Barrie led the way with four players named to the first team.

First Team All-Stars

1B: Jordan Castaldo, Barrie

2B: Starlin Rodriguez, Barrie

3B: Kebvin Atkinson, Barrie

SS: Yorbis Borroto, Kitchener

C: Justin Marra, Toronto

DH: Sean Reilly, Guelph

OF: Justin Gideon, Hamilton

OF: Marcus Knecht, Toronto

OF: Tanner Nivins, Kitchener

RHP: Adrian Salcedo, Barrie

LHP: Chris Lazar, Hamilton

MGR: Dean Castelli, Hamilton

Second Team All-Stars

1B: Brendon Dadson, Welland

2B: Josh Garton, Guelph

3B: Angel Villalona, Guelph

SS: Wilson Soriano, Welland

C: Mike Ambrose, London

DH: Ryan Rijo, Barrie

OF: Brian Burton, Kitchener

OF: Ryan Spataro, Barrie

OF: Ryan Santos, Toronto

OF: Ismael Pena, London

RHP: Euclides Leyer, Welland

LHP: Yoennis Yera, Kitchener

MGR: Luke Baker, Kitchener

The Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) is the top level baseball league in Ontario, boasting ex-major league professional and elite NCAA college baseball players. The 2019 season will mark the IBL’s 101st in operation. The IBL is the fifth longest continually operated baseball league in the world and serves as a valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff. More than 40 IBL players have advanced to Major League Baseball or returned to the IBL following their MLB careers. The league is comprised of teams from Barrie, Brantford, Kitchener, London, Toronto, Guelph, Welland and Hamilton. For more information, visit www.theibl.ca.