Wild Things’ Czech, Foster win FL’s top awards
Mark Marietta
For the first time in the franchise’s 24-season history, Wild Things players have swept the Frontier League’s top two individual honors.
The league announced Thursday afternoon that Washington first baseman Andrew Czech is the winner of the Morgan Burkhart Most Valuable Player Award, and that lefthander Kobe Foster won the Brian Tollberg Pitcher of the Year Award. The awards are named after the first position player and pitcher to advance from the Frontier League to the major leagues.
The league awards, and end-of-season all-star team, were voted upon by coaches, front office personnel and media.
In addition to Czech and Foster being named all-league at their respective positions, Washington outfielder Anthony Brocato was one of three outfielders named to the team. Brocato entered the Wild Things’ game Thursday night against Gateway tied for the league’s single-season home run record with 36. He matched the record set in 1998 by Burkhart.
Czech, who is in his sixth year with Washington, has produced perhaps the best season ever by a Wild Things hitter. The native of Reminderville, Ohio, and a former standout at Walsh University, entered Thursday leading the Frontier League in on-base percentage (.483), slugging percentage (.679) and OPS (1.163), is tied for first place with 101 RBI, is second in home runs with 26 and second in walks (92). He has set the Washington single-season record for RBI, runs, walks, along with the career marks for RBI, doubles and walks.
“I haven’t even thought about the award,” Czech admitted. “All of that personal stuff will come if you put the team in position to win. This is just another thing to check off from my list. There is one more thing to check off and that’s get a (championship) ring.”
Czech is only the third Washington player to win the Frontier League MVP, joining Caleb McNeely (2024) and James Harris (2018).
“It’s about time for Andrew Czech,” Washington manager Tom Vaeth said. “I know he has been close before. The guys should be the poster boy for the league. He does it right, he handles himself in the right way.”
Foster (9-3, 1 save, league-best 2.38 ERA), threw the fourth no-hitter in Wild Things history on June 12 against the New Jersey Jackals, who are currently in first place in the East Division. In that game, Foster struck out a career-high 14, which is a Wild Things single-game record.
A Huntland, Tenn., native and pitcher at Tennessee Wesleyan, Foster has pitched 94.2 innings and allowed only 70 hits. He has struck out 82 and walked 22. Foster is in his fifth season with the Wild Things and has a 39-12 record. He holds the franchise record for games started, wins and strikeouts.
“I can say the same thing about Kobe: This award is well-deserved and a long-time coming,’ Vaeth said. “It’s another accolade in his career. I’m glad that everyone in the league has given him his due.”
Foster is the fifth Washington player to be recognized as the Pitcher of the Year. The others were Ryan Hennen (2021), Thomas Dorminy (2018), Aaron Ledbetter (2007) and Jared Howton (2002). Ledbetter is the only righthander among the five honorees.
Brocato has put together a late-season power surge that has been part of a career-type season for the Washington left fielder. He is batting .294 to go with 36 home runs, 15 doubles and 83 RBI. A native of Helmetta N.J., Brocato is in his third season with Washington and sixth in the Frontier League.
Other award winners were Florence infielder Brett Blomquist (Rookie of the Year), Windy City’s Tom Carcione (Manager of the Year), Florence’s Max Johnson (Executive of the Year) and Harrison DiNicola (Coach of the Year), Down East’s Spencer Pattison and Windy City’s Terry Bonadonna (Broadcaster of the Year), Lake Erie’s Myles Thornton (Trainer of the Year), Alex Lawrie (Umpire of the Year). The Florence Y’alls, who hosted the All-Star Game, were named Organization of the Year.
The all-league team included Foster and relief pitcher Cooper Morgan of Quebec, Brockton catcher Derek Bender, Czech at first base, Blomquist at second base, Quebec shortstop Kyle Crowl, New Jersey third baseman Felix Stevens, Windy City designated hitter Carlos Pena and Brocato, Chavez Young of Quebec and Dylan Broderick of Tri-City in the outfield.