The American Association named their Player and Pitcher of the Week for June 29 on Monday. The Sioux Falls Canaries infielder David Bergin was named the top player while the St. Paul Saints Kramer Sneed earned the top pitcher honors.

David Bergin, Player of the Week

David Bergin had quite the week for the Sioux Falls Canaries, going 11-21 (.524) in the five games his club played this week. That included a four-hit performance against the Winnipeg Goldeyes on Sunday. In fact, against Winnipeg Bergin had quite the three-game series. He was 9-12 with 5 runs and 5 RBI in the set. In the first two games of the week, the Canaries faced off against the Wichita Wingnuts, where he was 2-9 in the series.
His week included 6 total RBI and 6 runs scored. He also hit 3 doubles and had 3 home runs. He homered in each of the three-games of the Winnipeg series, giving him 4 total home runs for the season.

His successful week raised his average 40 points, taking him from .308 to .348 as on Sunday night. He also raised his OPS to 1.009 from 0.867, an increase of 142 points.

The infielder is in his first season of independent ball, after playing four seasons in the Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals organizations. Bergin played his college ball at Tennessee Wesleyan College.’

Bergin is the second Sioux Falls Canaries’ player to be honored by the league this season. Miguel Pena was the American Association Pitcher of the Week following the first weekend of the season.

Kramer Sneed, Pitcher of the Week

Kramer Sneed is quickly establishing himself as one of the top starters in the American Association, and making many wonder if the left-hander will actually make it through the summer in St. Paul. Sneed earned wins in both of his starts this week, giving him a league leading six victories. He also lowered his ERA to 2.17, ranking him sixth in the league.

Sneed’s first start was on June 22, where he went 8 innings in a 5-4 victory over the Sioux City Explorers. This was a battle of the league’s two hottest teams, and Sneed’s start was the kind of outing that gave his club some real momentum. The lefty allowed just 5 hits and 2 runs, neither of them earned, in the victory. He also struck out 2 while walking none.

On June 27, Sneed defeated Fargo-Moorhead 5-2. Despite a 90 minute rain delay, the left-hander was solid, pitching 6 innings, allowing 4 hits, 5 walks and only 1 earned run. He struck out 6 and lowered his opponent batting average to a measly .210.

His totals for the week were quite impressive. He allowed 9 hits, 5 walks, and 3 runs, 1 earned, in 14 innings pitched. He also struck out 8 and was 2-0.

The St. Paul Saints starter has won his last four starts, and is 6-1 for the season. The left-hander has only allowed 56 total base runners (38 hits and 18 walks) in 49.2 innings pitched. Sneed has followed two Saints losses with outstanding outings for wins.

Sneed spent the last five seasons in the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels organizations. He played college baseball at Barton College.

The left-hander is the third St. Paul Saints’ player to be honored so far this season. Ian Gac was the Player of the Week following the first week of the season, while Vinny DiFazio was named the American Association’s top player last Monday.

By Robert Pannier