Imperial Valley native baseball player Jake Sánchez was named as Most Valuable Player of the Mexican Pacific League.

The pitcher, who has played for Mexicali Aguilas baseball club for seven years, was awarded with the Héctor Espino Trophy after being elected by the press.

He previously won the Isidro Márquez Trophy as relief pitcher of the year.

Sánchez, of Brawley, Calif. saved 26 games this season for the Mexicali team — the most for a single player in a season.

“Jake Mate”, as Sánchez is also known, became fifth in league’s history after reaching 72 saved games.

During this season, in 32 games Sánchez obtained a 1.69 ERA and 48 strikeouts.

Sánchez, who got 26 percent of votes, defeated in the press elections Tirso Ornelas, of Navojoa, who was also the Rookie of the Year. Other players who fought for the award were Kyle Martin of Navojoa, Joey Meneses of Culiacán and Félix Pérez of Jalisco.