De Pinto Named Team MVP
August 29, 2011 | Baseball
Aug. 29, 2011
LOS ANGELES--Former USC infielder Joe De Pinto continued his impressive first season in the professional ranks as he was named the Great Falls Voyagers MVP on Sunday.
De Pinto, a 21st round selection of the Chicago White Sox in the 2011 draft is hitting .280 in 58 games and leads the Voyagers with 43 RBI. He is currently second in doubles with 15 and tied for second in home runs, with five.
The announcement came in the bottom of the third inning and was a surprise.
"Honestly I really didn't know," De Pinto said. "It's great - it's an honor. I appreciate it and it's an honor."
"He's been a staple in there in the middle of our lineup," Voyagers manager Ryan Newman added. "He's really done a great job, playing well defensively at second base and hats off to him."
De Pinto hit .300 with 24 RBI while starting all 56 games as a senior for the Trojans last season.
