Shorebird of the Week - June 26, 2008

He's been a South Atlantic League All-Star and selected by the members of the Delmarva Shorebirds Fan Club as their Player of the Half. What other honor could top that off besides being picked as my Shorebird of the Week?

Yes, I'm sure Joe Nowicki would prefer a promotion to Frederick or beyond or to have led his teammates to a first-half North Division title, but this June's been a pretty good month to him. The opposite may have been true two years ago this month, as Joe didn't get a phone call from anyone welcoming him as their draft choice. Over 1500 players were picked in the 2006 baseball draft; Joe wasn't one. But the standout at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and native of Brewer country nevertheless found a team willing to give him a shot and the Orioles were the team.

Joe's taken full advantage this season, hitting just a shade over .300 in 72 games played (which leads the team) and also topping the stat sheet in home runs (11), hits (82), doubles (24), triples (3), and total bases (145). In both his pro seasons he's been a league all-star selection and may well top that off with a return to Frederick before season's end (he played one game there in 2007 and went 2-for-3).

The only knock on Joe may be that he's the oldest active Shorebird (he turns 25 in November) but he's dominated the SAL to such an extent that a promotion is probably deserved. So enjoy seeing Joe while you can because not one of Frederick's outfielders is cracking the .240 mark right now - they could use a little bit of punch in the Keys' lineup.