MADISON – Rocket City right-hander George Klassen has been named the Southern League Pitcher of the Week for the week of Sept. 9-15 – the final week of the season.
In his start on the road against the Chattanooga Lookouts last Saturday, Klassen fired six no-hit innings and struck out a career-high 12 batters. The Trash Pandas won 8-0, earning Klassen his second victory since joining the Trash Pandas.
The first-year professional matched his career-high in innings pitched and recorded the second-most strikeouts for a Trash Pandas starter in a game this season; Brett Kerry fanned 14 on Aug. 29.
It was the second time Klassen hit double-digit strikeouts; the other coming Aug. 3 when he struck out 10 with the Single-A Inland Empire.
A dozen strikeouts and a half-dozen no-hit innings.
George Klassen’s stellar Saturday start was our @Boeing Performance of the Week! 💫 pic.twitter.com/oAtgaHu0Er
— Rocket City Trash Pandas (@trashpandas) September 16, 2024
This is the first time a Trash Pandas pitcher has been named Pitcher of the Week this season. Klassen is the first winner since Kerry was honored Sept. 18, 2022 and the 11th time a Rocket City pitcher has won the award.
The Los Angeles Angels acquired Klassen via trade with the Philadelphia Phillies alongside left-handed pitcher and current big leaguer Samuel Aldegheri for closer Carlos Estévez.
Klassen made seven starts for the Trash Pandas and finished with a 2-3 record, 5.65 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 28.2 innings pitched.
