Monday was a day of awards for the York Revolution, beginning with the naming of the Atlantic League postseason all-star team.

Outfielder Jason Aspito was named to the first team after posting a .294 batting average with team highs in home runs (24) and runs batted in (105).

He also bashed 33 doubles, two triples and scored a York-best 83 runs.

"(Aspito) has a knack for the clutch," Revs general manager Matt O'Brien said. "He was the guy at the plate that, when push came to shove, the fans wanted to see when we most needed him."

While Aspito was the only Rev named to the first-team, the squad had four players named to the all-league second team: catcher Sandy Aracena, first baseman Chris Ashby, outfielder Kennard Jones and pitcher Aaron Rakers.

Aracena, an Atlantic League veteran, hit .298 with eight home runs in 85 games, sharing time behind the plate with Luis Taveras.

Ashby and Jones were in-season additions to York, and both were keys in the Revolution's drive to the Freedom Division second-half title.

Jones was the needed spark at the top of the lineup, posting a team-leading .333 average with 17 stolen bases, plus five triples and eight home runs in 88 games. He also played stellar in center field and boasts one of the league's best outfield throwing arms.

The 33-year-old Ashby came to the team in late May and immediately went on a hitting tear. He set an Atlantic League record with his 31-game hitting streak and
finished

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with a .321 mark.

He played both first and the outfield, appearing in 104 games, including once as a pitcher. He added 16 home runs and 75 RBIs.

On the mound, few were as consistent as Rakers, who went 11-8 in 30 appearances in 23 starts. He posted a 4.52 earned run average and struck out 130 batters in 1491/3 innings.

"It is rewarding when any of our players are recognized for an honor on the field," York director of baseball operations Adam Gladstone said. "It means we are going after the right guys."

It wasn't only players that were honored. Sovereign Bank Stadium was named the league "Ballpark of the Year," an annual award that takes into account the playing surface, appearance and overall operations of the venue.

O'Brien credited head groundskeeper Brandon Putman, his assistant Carl Oburgh and stadium operations chief Josh Brown for their efforts.

"There are countless hours there is nobody at the park but these guys," O'Brien said. "This gets some guys behind the scenes some recognition for their work."
snavaroli@ydr.com; 771-2060