By Bob Dutton
The News Tribune
SEATTLE — Outfielder Ian Miller, who closed the season at Triple-A Tacoma, was selected Monday by the Mariners as this year’s recipient of the Ken Griffey Jr. Minor League Hitter of the Year award.
Right-hander Nick Neidert, who split the season at Hi-A Modesto and Double-A Arkansas, is the Jamie Moyer Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
Five other minor-league awards were also announced by Andy McKay, the organization’s director of player development.
■ Infielder Chris Mariscal (Modesto/Arkansas) received the Alvin Davis “Mr. Mariner” award.
■ Infielder Jordan Cowan (Modesto) received the Edgar Martinez PTPA (productive team plate appearance) award.
■ Right-handed pitcher Ljay Newsome (Lo-A Clinton) received the “60 feet, 6 inch Club” award in recognition for ability to execute the organization’s “control the zone” philosophy.
■ Outfielder Dimas Ojeda (Clinton) received the Dan Wilson Minor League Community Service Award in recognition of his participation in numerous community events.
■ Manager Cesar Nicolas (Dominican Summer League) received the Dave Henderson Minor League Staff Member of the Year award for his work in helping to sign and develop players.
All seven award recipients will be recognized Sept. 22 in a ceremony at Safeco Field prior to the Mariners’ game against Cleveland Indians.
Miller, 25, was a 14th-round pick in the 2013 MLB Draft. He batted a combined .307 with a .355 on-base percentage in 124 games at Arkansas (83) and Tacoma (41).
He also stole 43 bases in 48 attempts.
Neidert, 20, was a second-round pick in 2015. He was a combined 11-6 with 3.45 ERA at Modesto and Arkansas.
He was picked earlier Monday by Baseball America to its all-Hi-A classification all-star team.
Minor moves
The Mariners lost lefty reliever Zac Curtis to Philadelphia in a waiver claim Monday after removing him from their 40-man roster on Sept. 4 by designating him for assignment.
Curtis, 25, made three big-league appearances this season but spent most of the year at Double-A Arkansas, where he was 1-2 with a 3.51 ERA in 41 appearances.
The Mariners also activated right-hander Ryan Weber from the 60-disabled list and sent him to Triple-A Tacoma on an outright assignment after he cleared waivers.
Weber, 26, was removed from a May 13 start at Toronto because of strained right biceps muscle, which turned into a season-ending injury.
He was promoted earlier that day from Tacoma, where he was 2-0 with a 0.85 ERA in six games.
The move to assign Weber to Tacoma is a paper transaction since the Rainiers have concluded their season.
Weber will become a minor-league free agent in the offseason.
The Mariners acquired Curtis from Arizona along with shortstop Jean Segura and outfielder Mitch Haniger in a Nov. 23, 2016 trade for pitcher Taijuan Walker and shortstop Ketel Marte.
The Mariners acquired Weber in a Nov. 2, 2016 waiver claim from Atlanta and retained him one month later when he cleared waivers after being designated for assignment.
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