After being named the outstanding defensive player at the IBAF Intercontinental Cup in October, Dutch shortstop Mariekson Gregorius also was named the best defensive player in the Australian Baseball League. One day before the Delta Airlines ABL Championship Series between the Perth Heat and the Adelaide Bite starts, the league announced that the Amsterdam born received ABL’s Golden Glove.
He beat out Allan de San Miguel (Perth Heat) and Stefan Welch (Adelaide Bite) for the award. Gregorius, who is a member of the Cincinnati Reds organization, played together with German outfielder/first baseman Donald Lutz for the Canberra Cavalry this winter. The 20-year-old batted .189/.248/.283 with one homerun, two triples, five doubles, 15 runs and nine RBI in 36 games.
The ABL announced that the 41-year-old Korean Dae-Sung Koo of the Sydney Blue Sox was named reliever of the year. He had an ERA of 1.00 in 18 appearances, striking out 30 batters in 27 innings (8 walks). Two pitchers, which have played in Europe in the past, also were in consideration. Chris Mowday came in at second, Adam Bright at third.