The left-handed Fuller finished his time in Savannah with an 8-3 record and a 1.93 ERA in 107.1 innings pitched. He struck out 99 batters and walked just 29. At the time of his promotion to the Florida State League on August 5th, Fuller led all active SAL pitchers in ERA and was seventh in strikeouts. Fuller was one of six Gnats named to the SAL’s mid-season All-Star team alongside RHP Brandon Moore, LHP Mark Cohoon, SS Wilmer Flores, CF Juan Lagares and C Kai Gronauer. The Mets drafted Fuller, who turned 23 on June 1, in the 21st round out of Southern Connecticut State in 2008.
Fuller is the first Savannah pitcher named the SAL’s “Most Outstanding Pitcher” since Matt Arrandale in 1994. Arrandale was 15-3 with a 1.76 ERA with 121 strikeouts and 21 walks in 19 starts for the Savannah Cardinals in 1994 when Savannah won the League Championship. Arrandale, who, like Fuller was 23 in his “Most Outstanding” season, also earned a mid-season promotion to the Florida State League.
The last Savannah player to win a League-wide “Most Outstanding” honor was 3B Adrian Beltre in 1996 who was honored as the SAL’s “Most Outstanding MLB Prospect,” in a year Savannah went on to win the League Championship. Beltre, who is in his tenth MLB season, and his first with the Boston Red Sox, hit .307/.406/.586 (AVG/OBP/SLG) with 14 doubles and 16 home runs and 59 RBI in 68 games for Savannah as a 17-year old in 1996.
Valdes, who is in his second year as the Sand Gnats pitching coach, was recognized for his work with the Savannah pitching staff. Voters, including League Field Managers, General Managers, Writers and Broadcasters, select one manager and one coach, including both hitting and pitching coaches, to the All-Star team. Valdes, who was the Florida Marlins number one draft pick in 1993, pitched in the Major Leagues for six years with the Marlins, Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos.
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