2018 Killebrew Award Winner - Chris Paul (Chattanooga Lookouts)
Sep 19 2018 08:56 PM |
Seth Stohs
in Minor Leagues
Image courtesy of Chattanooga Lookouts (photo of Tommy Watkins and Chris Paul)
Chris Paul came to the Twins as their sixth round draft pick in 2015 out of Cal-Berkeley. After signing, he went to Elizabethton but quickly moved up to Cedar Rapids. That’s where he began the 2016 season but just a couple of weeks into the season, he was promoted to Ft. Myers. In 2017, he hit .328/.380/.471 (.851) in 61 games in Ft. Myers. Unfortunately he broke his hamate bone. He made up for some of the lost time by representing the Twins in the Arizona Fall League last year. Paul has done a nice job representing the Twins on the field, but also off of the field, and that’s why he’s been selected the Chattanooga Lookouts’ recipient of the Harmon Killebrew Award.
Dan Kopf is the Lookouts Media Relations Manager. Asked about Chris Paul, he said, “Chris was our choice. He was also willing to get into the community. This year, Chris helped underprivileged youth go back-to-school shopping at Academy Sports. Chris was also always one of the first players to volunteer for player appearances or interviews.”
Helping in the community, and especially working with kids, was something that Chris Paul really enjoyed. He pointed out, “I helped with some teammates to play games and hold camps for unprivileged kids, usually through the boys and girls club or YMCA. Also, I have helped these kids go back to school shopping and find things they needed to help them succeed in life and in school! It was very rewarding and humbling experience. You learn just as much from these kids as they do from you, and it reminds me to be grateful for everything and all the opportunities I have been given.“
It’s obviously a great perspective. Paul understands and appreciates what this award means and the legacy that has been left behind by Killebrew.
“It’s an incredible honor to be given the Harmon Killebrew Award. Both on and off the field, Mr. Killebrew was held in very high regards by all; so obviously, I’m gratefully accepting this award hoping to live up to such a high standard set by such an outstanding individual and baseball player.“
Previous Twins Double-A Killebrew Award winners:
2011 - Bobby Lanigan
2012 - Shawn Roof
2013 - Dan Rohlfing
2014 - Tony Thomas
2015 - Tim Shibuya
2016 - David Hurlbut
2017 - Travis Harrison
2018 - Chris Paul
2018 Killebrew Award Recipients
Rochester Red Wings - Jake Reed
Chattanooga Lookouts - Chris Paul
Fort Myers Miracle -
Cedar Rapids Kernels -
Congratulations to Chris Paul on earning the 2018 Harmon Killebrew Award for Community Service for the Chattanooga Lookouts.
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2 Comments
Nice story, Seth, Thanks.
Looking at this list, have any of them played in the major leagues?I believe not with the Twins, but not certain if any played elsewhere.
What would be interesting is learning what they are all doing now.Are some still in the minor leagues?Are any out of baseball, and if so does anyone know what they are doing?
Another player making the world better.