Article: 2018 Harmon Killebrew Award Winner - Tyler Wells (Ft. Myers Miracle)

[Seth Stohs]

On Tuesday night at Target Field, Joe Mauer singled in the first inning to pass Harmon Killebrew for number of Times on Base in his Twins career. If you were to look at the Twins record books, you would find Harmon Killebrew’s name at or near the top of most career and single-season lists. On the field, Killebrew was a Hall of Famer. Ask most of his contemporaries or those who got to know him and they will likely tell you that he was a Hall of Famer off the field too.

 

Following his death, the Minnesota Twins announced that they would hand out a Harmon Killebrew Award for Community Service to one player at each of the Twins four, full-season minor league affiliates. Over the past week, we have announced three of the four recipients. Tonight, we announce the fourth Killebrew Award winner.Following the conclusion of the Twins minor league season, Twins Daily announced our choice for the 2018 Twins Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year. Right-hander Tyler Wells split the season, making 16 starts for Ft. Myers and six games in Chattanooga. Combined, he went 10-6 with a 2.49 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. He struck out 121 batters in 119 1/3 innings. It was a terrific season on the field for Wells.

 

Wells was terrific in the community throughout the season as well and earned the Miracle choice for the Harmon Killebrew Award. The Miracle do a lot throughout their season in the community, and Wells stayed busy with it throughout his time in southwest Florida.

 

Wells shared a list of some of the activities that he participated in. “During my time in Fort Myers, I participated in multiple camps, a special needs camp, a hospital visit to see kids with cancer, and helped promote and participated in a fundraiser with the VS. Cancer Foundation. I also participated in a kids camp up in Chattanooga.”

 

The VS. Cancer event and fundraiser was something that meant a lot personally to Wells.

 

 

Wells and some teammates raised money to fight cancer, and following a game at Hammond Stadium on a Friday night in late July, they got pied.

 

 

Wells made several trips to Ft. Myers area hospitals with teammates throughout the season, and even in the offseason when he was there for various camps.

 

Being community-minded is something that is very important to Tyler Wells, and having his name associated with an award named for the great Harmon Killebrew.

 

“It’s a huge honor for me, as it would be for anyone to associated with the Minnesota Twins legend. Baseball is only part of the job for us, and Harmon Killebrew was the best example you could have for being so much more than a baseball player. And I’m hoping, as I continue my career, that I can set an example like Killebrew did! ”

 

 

Previous Ft. Myers Miracle Killebrew Award winners:

 

2011 - Reggie Williams

2012 - Andy Leer

2013 - Stephen Wickens

2014 - Tim Shibuya

2015 - Tanner Vavra

2016 - Trey Vavra

2017 - Kevin Garcia

2018 - Tyler Wells

 

 

Other 2018 Killebrew Award Recipients

 

Rochester Red Wings - Jake Reed

Chattanooga Lookouts - Chris Paul

Fort Myers Miracle - Tyler Wells

Cedar Rapids Kernels - David Banuelos

 

 

Congratulations to Tyler Wells on earning the 2018 Harmon Killebrew Award for Community Service for the Fort Myers Miracle.

 

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[108Stitches]

Wow. That’s a hell of a season for Wells. I’m sure his mother is very proud of what he’s doing for sick kids. So great to see the appreciation for having that platform. A lot of guys take it for granted.

[glunn]

Good kid, on and off the field. Thanks for the article.

[Kernels Fan]

Truly an earned honor for Tyler.  We've seen Tyler from the outside and seen him from the inside.  He's true to this award.

[rdehring]

What a fine young man, both on the hill and off the field.  Thanks for all you do, Tyler!

[jrod23]

Love seeing this kind of person get recognized.  Great job Tyler.  Let's use this platform then...

 

If Tyler Wells doesn't make the jump to Rochester, what city will the Twins be sending him to for AA ball?  Pensacola?