Bowling Green State University Athletics
Former Falcon Berti Named Team MVP By Toronto Blue Jays Organization
October 16, 2013 | Baseball
The Troy, Mich. native will head to Australia for Winter Ball
Former Falcon, Jon Berti, was recently honored by the Toronto Blue Jays organization as his team's Most Valuable Player for the 2013 season. Berti, a native of Troy, Mich., spent the season with the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Florida State League. The D-Jays, as they are often referred to as, are the high-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Berti was flown to Toronto to receive the award at a banquet put on by the organization.
"We had a good year, and a lot of success as a team," Berti stated. "We won the first half, so we qualified for the playoffs. Although we didn't have the results that we hoped for in the playoffs, I still feel that we had a lot of success as a team."
Berti, who played three seasons for the Falcons before being drafted in the 18th round, finished the season with a batting average of .250 and on-base percentage of .338. Berti's intangibles were what impressed the Blue Jays Organization, as he led the FSL in games played (128), at-bats (505), runs (85 - second only scored 45 runs), hits (126), triples, walks, and stolen bases (56 - second only had 21). Berti proved to be a versatile, all-around player, as he was also fifth in doubles, seventh in home runs, and second in total bases.
"Playing at BG for three seasons really prepared me for my time in pro ball," Berti said. "Coach Schmitz, Coach Blanc, and Spencer (Schmitz) expected a lot of the players and really held us accountable. They run their practices like they are run in pro ball, and that really helped to prepare me for the next level."
After completing just his second full season in professional baseball, Berti and three D-Jay teammates will travel to Australia to play winter ball for the Canberra Calvary. The Calvary play in the Australian Baseball League, with games running from the end of October through January of 2014.
"I just plan to continue working hard throughout the winter and next spring, and I'll go wherever the Blue Jays need me," Berti finished.
To read more about Berti's MVP award, CLICK HERE for an article on all of Toronto's Minor League MVP's this season. To view the official website of the Canberra Calvary, and follow Berti's winter league season, CLICK HERE.
"We had a good year, and a lot of success as a team," Berti stated. "We won the first half, so we qualified for the playoffs. Although we didn't have the results that we hoped for in the playoffs, I still feel that we had a lot of success as a team."
Berti, who played three seasons for the Falcons before being drafted in the 18th round, finished the season with a batting average of .250 and on-base percentage of .338. Berti's intangibles were what impressed the Blue Jays Organization, as he led the FSL in games played (128), at-bats (505), runs (85 - second only scored 45 runs), hits (126), triples, walks, and stolen bases (56 - second only had 21). Berti proved to be a versatile, all-around player, as he was also fifth in doubles, seventh in home runs, and second in total bases.
"Playing at BG for three seasons really prepared me for my time in pro ball," Berti said. "Coach Schmitz, Coach Blanc, and Spencer (Schmitz) expected a lot of the players and really held us accountable. They run their practices like they are run in pro ball, and that really helped to prepare me for the next level."
After completing just his second full season in professional baseball, Berti and three D-Jay teammates will travel to Australia to play winter ball for the Canberra Calvary. The Calvary play in the Australian Baseball League, with games running from the end of October through January of 2014.
"I just plan to continue working hard throughout the winter and next spring, and I'll go wherever the Blue Jays need me," Berti finished.
To read more about Berti's MVP award, CLICK HERE for an article on all of Toronto's Minor League MVP's this season. To view the official website of the Canberra Calvary, and follow Berti's winter league season, CLICK HERE.
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