Semoball

Catfish coach Steve Larkin wins manager of the year, four players named to all-star team

Cape Catfish manager Steve Larkin was named the Prospect League's Manager of the Year for the second straight season.
Tom Davis ~ tdavis@semoball.com, file

Cape Catfish manager Steve Larkin and four of the team’s players were honored Wednesday morning when the Prospect League announced its 2021 award recipients.

Larkin was named the Prospect League Manager of the Year for the second straight season. The Cincinnati native helped lead the Catfish to their first Prospect League championship in just their second season, posting a record of 38-22.

Larkin also won the award in 2019 after leading the Catfish to a league-best 43-17 and a Western Conference championship during the team’s inaugural season.

In addition to Larkin being honored, the Catfish led the Western Conference with four players being named to its All-Star Team.

Kolten Poorman (second base), Ellison Hanna II (outfield), Andrew Stone (outfield) and Trey McDaniel (relief pitcher) were all recognized Wednesday for their performance this past season.

Poorman posted a .315 batting average during the 2021 regular season, going 58-for-184 at the plate with four home runs and led the team with 16 doubles and 41 RBIs. The former Three Rivers Raider and future Missouri Tiger was pivotal in the Catfish’s championship run, going 5-for-21 (.238) in the playoffs with a double, two home runs and nine RBIs.

“He’s a table-setter,” Larkin said during the season. “He always comes out loud with a smile on his face. His parents follow us around everywhere and they’re awesome also. He’s just a lot of fun to be around. He plays the game right every day. He gets a little emotional with it sometimes and we’ve got to channel that a little bit, but he’s a ballplayer for sure.”

Hanna had 49 hits in 143 at-bats (.343) with nine doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 29 RBIs. The former Indiana State product ended his Prospect League career with a .400 average in the playoffs, going 8-for-20 at the plate with two doubles and three RBIs.

Stone - the 2019 Prospect League MVP - was another major key in the Catfish’s success. Stone led the team in home runs with nine and had a .333 batting average during the regular season with 13 doubles, four triples and 39 RBIs. Stone had a bit of a slump during the playoffs, however, going 4-for-24 (.167) at the plate with two doubles and three RBIs.

“He’s one of mine,” Larkin said during the season. “I’ve had him for a couple, three years now, and I’ve known him for a while. He’s just a joy to be around on the field and off the field. I call him Andy Stone-Larkin for a reason and he knows it.”

McDaniel finished the season with a 2-1 record on the mound. The Southern Illinois Saluki earned five saves in 13 appearances and posted an ERA of 1.92, allowing just 11 hits and four walks while striking out 35.

The full list of Prospect League All-Stars and award winners is available here.

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