Dodgers prospect wins AFL honor

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Russ Mitchell, a longtime Minor Leaguer whose dedication and perseverance paid off in a stellar Arizona Fall League campaign, on Saturday was presented with the 2009 Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award.

Mitchell received the honor prior to Saturday afternoon's AFL championship game, in which he started at first base for the Peoria Javelinas against the Phoenix Desert Dogs.

The award, which honors the memory of the former Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect killed during the 2003 AFL season, annually goes to a player who exemplifies leadership, unselfishness and hard work.

Mitchell certainly qualifies, especially on that last point. The Dodgers' 15th-round selection in the 2003 First-Year Player Draft, the 24-year-old first baseman recently completed his seventh Minor League season, with Double-A Chattanooga of the Southern League.

"This is a big honor. Words cannot express how much it means to me," Mitchell said after he and the other Javelinas had knocked off five-time defending champion Phoenix, 5-4. "It's nice to know the coaches think so highly of you, and that they feel you represent someone who was a great man."

Among the league's offensive leaders throughout the six-week campaign, Mitchell tied for the lead with 10 doubles and was third with 25 RBIs while batting .319.

Other nominees for the sixth annual award were catcher Nevin Ashley (Phoenix-Rays), second baseman Chase d'Arnaud (Scottsdale-Pirates), second baseman Daniel Descalso (Surprise-Cardinals), catcher Matt McBride (Peoria Saguaros-Indians) and outfielder Bryan Petersen (Mesa-Marlins).

"Russ exemplifies the meaning of the Dernell Stenson Award," said AFL director Steve Cobb in making the presentation. "Like Dernell Stenson, Russ is one of the top performers in the Fall League and a clubhouse leader.

"He was an obvious catalyst in the Javelinas' division championship. Baseball is well-served when its next generation of players includes the likes of Russ Mitchell."

AFL newcomers quickly learn about Stenson, and how they can invoke his memory as their own inspiration.

"We talked about him at the beginning of the season," Mitchell said, "and about his legacy as a person and as a player. To think that people think I do him justice ... that's a great honor for me."