Colvin Recognized by Southern League

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Smokies outfielder Tyler Colvin was named today by the Southern League as the Southern League “Hitter of the Week,” for the week of July 27 – August 2. The award is Colvin’s first of the season and second overall; he won the same award in June of last year.

Colvin led the Southern League last week in hitting (.577), RBIs (8), hits (15) and on-base percentage (.577). A strong showing in Mobile culminated with a 5-for-5 performance in the series finale Friday night. Colvin’s streak carried over into the weekend against Carolina, as he followed up a 3-for-3 performance on Saturday with hits in his first three plate appearances on Sunday.

The 11 consecutive hits tied a Southern League record and were a big reason for the Smokies’ 7-0 record last week. His batting average jumped almost 50 points (.239 to .286) in the process.

The 2009 season is Colvin’s third with the Smokies and fourth overall in the minors. The Augusta, Ga. native was acquired by the Chicago Cubs in the first round (13th overall) of the 2006 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Clemson University.