The honours keep on coming for Calgary Vipers star Darryl Brinkley.  The first minor league slugger to hit .400 in the modern era was today named Independent League Player of the Year by Baseball America.  Brinkley, who is setting aside retirement plans to play another season with the Vipers in 2008, had previously been named Northern League Player of the Year and Sportstickers Star of Stars.

Brinkley became the first player in Northern League history to hit .400 in a season, shattering the league record of .376 held by Adam Olow of the Saint Paul Saints in 2004.  Brinkley also eclipsed the Northern League record for hits finishing the season with 150, seven more than Lincoln’s Brian Warner in 2005. The 38-year-old veteran also led the league in runs scored with 88, on-base percentage at .456, and intentional walks with 11.  He was second in the league in slugging percentage at .603 and total bases with 226. Brinkley was third in the league with 82 runs batted in and 32 doubles. He finished fourth in the league with 47 extra base hits.

The Norwalk, CT resident was the Player of the Month in June after receiving the player of the week twice on June 11th and June 25th. Brinkley also finished the season with the longest hitting streak in the league at 23 games which he accomplished from May 18th to June 13th. He also chipped in with 18 stolen bases and three outfield assists.

Meanwhile, Baseball America also named its top 10 prospects in Independent baseball.  Three players from the Golden League and two from the Northern League are included in the top six.  Daniel Nava, an outfielder with league champion Chico in the Golden League was named top prospect.  Winnipeg Goldeyes catcher Luis Alen was number 3, followed by Reno outfielder Kane Simmons, Joliet catcher Dennis Blackmon and Long Beach pitcher Dane De La Rosa.