Karros Named NWL MVP, Sullivan Earns POTY

September 19, 2024 – Northwest League (NWL)
Spokane Indians News Release

Spokane, Wash. – Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) announced today the league awards and All-Star teams for the three leagues that make up the High Class-A classification. The Spokane Indians, fresh off a thrilling victory in the Northwest League Championship Series, topped the NWL with six All-Stars including the circuit’s Most Valuable Player, Kyle Karros, and Pitcher of the Year, Sean Sullivan.

Karros is the third straight Indians player to capture league MVP, joining Jordan Beck last season and Zac Veen in 2022. A fifth-round draft pick out of UCLA in 2023, Karros topped the Northwest League in virtually every offensive category including batting (.311), RBI (78), OBP (.390), SLG (.485), OPS (.875), hits (147), doubles (33), extra-base hits (50), and total bases (229). The 22-year-old set the tone early for his MVP campaign, earning NWL Player of the Month in April after slashing .333/.443/.530 with 13 RBIs. A picture of consistency for Spokane, Karros appeared in 123 of a possible 130 games and led the Indians to their most wins (79) in the last four decades. Karros starred on both sides of the ball for Spokane and was named the top defensive third baseman in the Northwest League by Baseball America while also chipping in 12 stolen bases. He delivered for the Indians in the NWL Championship Series as well, clubbing a home run in Game3 and driving in the series-winning run with a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch in the 10th inning of Game 4.

Sullivan teamed up with Chase Dollander to form one of the top 1-2 punches in MiLB. The left-hander posted a 7-2 record with a 2.16 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and 101 strikeouts against just eight walks in 14 starts (83.1 IP) with the Indians before earning a promotion to Hartford. A second-round pick out of Wake Forest in 2023, Sullivan tossed the first nine-inning, complete game in the minors this season on May 30th and earned NWL Pitcher of the Week on July 28th after striking out 20 in two scoreless outings against the Emeralds in Eugene. The 22-year-old southpaw finished the season at Double-A, notching a 1.97 ERA in seven starts with the Yard Goats.

The four (4) other Spokane Indians selected as Northwest League All-Stars were:

Zach Agnos: The right-hander was one of two relief pitchers selected to the All-Star squad after posting a 4-1 record, 0.73 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, 10 saves, and 30 strikeouts against just two walks in 21 appearances. Originally a…