Editor’s note: The following is a press release written by Media Relations Manager Alex Kushel.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA– The Florida State League announced that St. Lucie Mets manager Ryan Ellis has been named Florida State League’s Manager of the Year.
St. Lucie Mets reliever Adam Kolarek was also named to the 2012 Florida State League Postseason All-Star Team.
The Florida State League Postseason All-Star Team was selected by field managers, official scorers, and club sports writers representing the twelve teams in the league.
Ellis guided the Mets to the Florida State League First Half South Division Championship with a 49-19 record. The 49 wins were the most in any half of a season for the Mets in team history. The Mets currently have a 79-49 record in the Florida State League.
The Mets are three victories away from recording the most single-season wins in team history. The Mets had 81 wins during the 2000 season.
Ellis was the manager of the South All-Stars in the 2012 Florida State League All-Star Game in Port Charlotte, FL in June.
Ellis was named South Atlantic League Manager of the Year in 2011 as he guided the Savannah Sand Gnats to the league’s Championship Series. The Sand Gants won the first half division title and posted a 79-60 overall record. He also was recognized by Baseball America as the Best Manager Prospect for the South Atlantic League.
Additionally, Mets 23-year-old reliever Adam Kolarek was selected to the Florida State League Postseason All-Star Team.
Kolarek, a 6-3, 215-pound lefthander from Baltimore, MD, currently is 1-2 with a 2.15 ERA and has earned 17 saves in 41 games. He has struck out 64 in 54 1/3 innings while allowing just 13 earned runs, 46 hits, and 19 walks. He has surrendered just one run in 21 innings against left-handed hitters. Lefties are just hitting .181 against him.
Kolarek has also pitched six games with Binghamton (AA) and earned two victories and picked up a save in relief. He struck out eight in 6 1/3 innings.
He was named to the Florida State League Midseason All-Star Team after registering 10 saves and posting a 1-1 record and 2.20 ERA during the first half.
Kolarek was drafted by the Mets in the 11th round of the 2010 draft out of Maryland.