Two League MVPs Among Season Honors for Cardinals Farmhands

by Kevin McCann

Posted September 7, 2000

Two of the top offensive seasons in the Cardinals minor league system were rewarded as third baseman Albert Pujols won Most Valuable Players honors in the Midwest League and first baseman Troy Farnsworth in the Carolina League.

Playing in his first pro season after being drafted in the 13th round of the '99 draft, Pujols debuted at Class A Peoria where he batted .324 with 17 home runs and 84 RBI in 109 games. He led the Chiefs in most offensive categories (including his .565 slugging percentage) before receiving a deserved promotion to high A Potomac in early August. He has since jumped to Triple-A Memphis and into the Pacific Coast League playoffs as the Redbirds face the Albuquerque Dukes (Dodgers) this week.

The 20-year-old Dominican native was also named to the Midwest League's postseason All-Star squad and shared Prospect of the Year honors with Austin Kearns of the Dayton Dragons (Reds). he is the third Peoria player in four years to receive the league MVP, the previous winners being shortstops Brent Butler and Pablo Ozuna.

Troy Farnsworth belted 23 homers during his Carolina League MVP campaign and collected 113 RBI, which not only was the best in the Cardinals organization in 2000 but broke Potomac's season record of 106 heald by former Cardinals farmhand Nate Dishington. He was also named to the Carolina League postseason All-Star team.

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