The Intercounty Baseball League yesterday announced its year-end awards and all-stars.
Two Toronto Maple Leafs were given the highest honours.
Justin Marra is the league's 2018 Most Valuable Player.
In his third season with the Leafs, Marra was the undisputed engine that drove Toronto's high-powered offence for most of the year.
The big-swinging slugger led the club with 10 home runs and 31 runs batted in. He also led in hits (41), slugging percentage (.690) and OPS (1.143). His batting average of .353 was second only to his brother Dan.
Marra also led the club with six RBIs in the postseason, and he hit two home runs.
In MVP voting, Marra received 28 votes. Barrie's Kevin Atkinson received 17 votes, and Hamilton's Grant Arnold received eight.
Garrett Takamatsu is the league's 2018 Rookie of the Year.
Takamatsu burst onto the scene with an aggressive approach at the plate. First pitch swinging for the win.
He rose to the upper ranks of the league's offensive stats early in the season, and racked up some solid numbers by season's end. He hit .320 with a home run and 17 runs batted in, and tied Marra for the team lead with nine doubles.
He also hit two electrifying game-winning homers in the Leafs' first round playoff series against Guelph.
Takamatsu's boundless energy and flamboyant flow quickly made him a fan favourite at Christie Pits.
In Rookie of the Year voting, Takamatsu received 22 votes. Brantford's David Mendham received 20 votes, and Guelph's Ethan Mohan received 19.
The league also announced its 2018 All-Star selections. Justin Marra was named first team catcher, and Dan Marra was named second team second baseman.
Congratulations to the Marra brothers and Tak.
Maple Leafs baseball will return for a 51st season at Christie Pits in May, 2019.
