Pope Earns Texas League Reliever of the Year Honors
Amarillo Sod Poodles right-hander
Austin Pope may only be 25, but he admits that some hitters still underestimate him when he takes the mound. After his latest accolade, that’s unlikely to continue.
Pope was named the
2024 Texas League Reliever of the Year, earning all 10 first-place votes in a unanimous selection. The rising bullpen standout put together a dominant season for Amarillo, posting a 1.73 ERA across 62.1 innings. In 37 relief appearances, he notched 8 saves, struck out 78, and issued just 23 walks, solidifying himself as one of the league’s most reliable late-inning arms.
In the final voting,
Will Klein of the
Northwest Arkansas Naturals finished second, followed by
Tulsa’s Edgardo Henriquez.
Arkansas Travelers reliever
Brett De Geus rounded out the ballot.
Code:
Player Team 1st Place Total Pts
Austin Pope Amarillo Sod Poodles 10 50
Will Klein Northwest Arkansas Naturals 0 20
Edgardo Henriquez Tulsa Drillers 0 16
Brett De Geus Arkansas Travelers 0 4