The Long Island Ducks infielder Frank Schwindel has won the Atlantic League Player of the Month.
The first baseman led all qualified Atlantic League players during the month of May with a .386 batting average. Schwindel amassed 32 hits in just 83 at bats, and his 1.139 OPS ranked second in the league. He has carried the Ducks offense early on leading the team in May in home runs, RBIs, runs, walks, on base percentage and slugging percentage.
Schwindel's ability to get on base has been his brightest attribute this year. Besides the sparking on base percentage he also is on a 17-game on-base streak, which is the longest active streak in the Atlantic League and longest by a Ducks player this season. His manager Lew Ford understands how important he's been to the team. “Frank has done an outstanding job at the plate thus far,” said Ford. “He is tremendously deserving of this honor, and we congratulate him on this accomplishment.”
Schwindel signed this offseason with the Ducks and although it's his first with Long Island, he is in his 11th professional baseball season. He spent time with the Royals, Athletics and most recently the Chicago Cubs. In 145 MLB games, he batted .269 with 22 home runs, 79 RBIs, 67 runs, 142 hits, 31 doubles, one triple and 35 walks.
Schwindel will try to keep his hot hitting going in June and will likely do so in front of excellent crowds. The Ducks are the all-time leader in wins and attendance in Atlantic League history and have sold out a record 707 games all-time.