2025 Minor League Players of the Year

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2025 Minor League Players of the Year

#1 Post by Borealis »

It's that time of year again, now that we are officially into the off season!! If you want to do a bigger posting in you blogs - just a listing here and a link back to your blog is fine.

Please use the following formatting when you make your announcement. Make sure to list players by their hyperlinked name, current full position (e.g. "SP" rather than just "P", "CF" rather than just "OF") and league level as listed in OOTP:
Proper formatting of awards announcement wrote:
  • Arlington Minor League Hitter of the Year: CF Ken Shoemaker (AAA)
  • Arlington Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP José Avalos (AAA)
Qualifications for Minor League Player of the Year Award
  • Players must have been in your organization since the start of the major league season (i.e. players acquired during the season through the draft or via trade are excluded from candidacy).
  • Players must have at least 300 PA (batters), or 10 starts or 40 appearances (pitchers) at the minor league level.
  • Players must not be older than 26 (or must have turned 27 after July 1).
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Re: 2025 Minor League Players of the Year

#2 Post by Zephyrs »

Reno Minor League Hitter of the Year: 1B Ben Daniels (AA)
Reno Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP Jude 'Freak' Bowles (AAA)
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Re: 2025 Minor League Players of the Year

#3 Post by Sandgnats »

Crystal Lake Minor League Hitter of the Year: 1B Will Smith (A)
Crystal Lake Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP Ángelo Torres (AA)

http://pebabaseball.com/boards/viewtopi ... 98#p106898
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Re: 2025 Minor League Players of the Year

#4 Post by MikeB »

Herrera, Castro Earn Coqui Minor League Honors

It's not a surprise that the winners of San Juan's top minor league performer awards played for Kingston (A) in 2025. The Suns jumped out to a 43-15 start and held on to finish 84-44 before falling in the NAFTA Championship Series.

First baseman Cesar Herrera proved the most feared slugger in the league walking away with the NAFTA AWL Outstanding Hitter Award as well as MVP trophies for the Wild Card and Division Series. He also collected the Glove Wizard Award.

The 24-year old finished first in the league in home runs (37), runs batted in (118) and runs scored (83) and third in the league in average (.296). His slugging percentage (.603) was 51 points higher than anyone else in the league and his WAR (8.4) 2.8 higher.

"In one sense, he could have been promoted," said Coqui GM Mike Best. "We knew he had power but we wanted to see him get his batting average up last season and with both Santurce (AA) and Kingston atop their divisions all year we thought it best to maintain consistency."

Team insiders say Herrera could be on the fast track to the PEBA if he hits well early in AA next year.

The top pitcher honor was more of a surprise. Fernando Castro had a reputation of being tardy to practice, particularly morning ones, but the light seemed to come on for him last season. The 21-year old Havana native, who was once released by the Leones after failing to show much as a teenager, emerged as the ace of Kingston's top ranked pitching staff. He walked away with the NAFTA AWL Outstanding Pitcher Award after going 13-3 with an 1.72 e.r.a. and posting close to 9-1 strikeout-walk ratio. Hitters batted just .172 against him.
Last edited by MikeB on Wed Aug 23, 2017 12:20 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: 2025 Minor League Players of the Year

#5 Post by Borealis »

Aurora Announces 2025 Minor League Players of the Year
by Francis Ferry, NLN baseball beat writer
Minor League Hitter of the Year
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LF Roberto 'Fudd' Martínez (AAA/AA)
'Fudd' Martínez is the first repeat Minor League Hitter of the Year in Aurora's history - and for very good reason - he was far and away the best hitter in the organization. Maybe only 1B José Torres, this years 'runner-up (as it were), the 2024 #1 for Aurora, is the only challenger to the Borealis' 2023 #1 pick. Here's what I had to say last year at this time regarding 'Fudd':
Francis Ferry wrote:Aurora will leave Martínez at Gatineau for the 2025 season, barring a stellar improvement, and they target seeing him on The Front Range probably in the Fall of 2026, maybe '27. One thing is for sure - 'Fudd' has a fundamental skill that is sorely lacking in the overall system: Power. With the overall lack or inability to develop a power hitter over the years (outside of Mike Britt, EDIT: and maybe Paul Carlisle), the Borealis are crossing their fingers on this guy.
You kind of hate choosing the same guy - that has happened once with the pitchers, with Hyeon-Cheong Yong getting the nod twice in '18 & '19, but it's hard to argue with the numbers Martínez put up. As I had predicted, He began the year at Gatineau, but it became apparent that he wasn't going to stay very long - and when injuries caused shifts across the Organization, it was determined that maybe it was his time to move upwards - a .394 average with 15 HR and 36 RBI in 55 games was pretty impressive for a team needing a little extra oomph! He would end up being named to the Great Northern League Pacific Alliance All-Star team.

So onto Thornton he went, and though his average didn't translate so much - .273 in 83 games, he still managed 16 HR and 58 RBI, giving him a seasons average of .319 with 31 HR and 94 RBI over 138 games. Yes, he struck out 142 times (98 at AAA), but Aurora plans on having him work on that this winter, and he did have 37 SB in 56 attempts. To put things into perspective, only Mike Britt hit more homers (31) and the 94 RBI tied Theron Boswell for the Organization lead.

So, where does that place 'Fudd' on the developmental scale? I had predicted he would arrive on The Front Range come next fall. Now? He will certainly get an invite to spring training - no doubts there. With Mike Hale all but gone to free agency (barring a miraculous signing), and if Aurora fails to bring in a top-notch CF option (or Harris or Heath from AAA don't pan out), River Pope is scheduled to begin 2026 in center - which leaves LF open for competition - with Martínez no doubt considered a serious contender (amongst the likes of Lawrence Justice).

I, for one, can't wait for Spring Training!


Minor League Pitcher of the Year
Image
SP Billy Taylor (AAA)
On the eve of the 2021 draft - the first after the Grand Merger, Aurora dealt their #1 and #4 picks to the newly minted Hartford Harpoons (nee, Omaha Cyclones) for virtually all their picks - beginning with the two second round picks they had (#19 and #21). With that first selection - Aurora's first of that draft (#55 overall), Aurora took a SP out of Tulane by the name of Billy Taylor. Taylor had posted just a 16-16 record for the Jade Breakers - then again, the team itself was barely over .500 for his four-years. More impressive was his career 3.12 ERA - and 2.72 his junior/seniors years. He mostly kept the ball in the park and has a pretty sturdy 236 K to 73 BB ratio.

So to Mokule'ia he went and he was an instant hit - 10-2, 2.42 ERA, 117 K and 23 BB. He finished third in the Hawaiian League Outstanding Pitcher voting. 2022 went exceptionally well - he made three starts at SLRC (3-0, 2.87) and then was called up to AA Gatineau, where he posted a 12-6 record and a 2.49 ERA - with a combined 165 K and 32 BB. Then, just as the post-season got rolling, he went down with pain in his elbow - and ended up with surgery for bone spurs. 2023 was a struggle as the elbow continued to be 'pissy' and as the season wore down to a finish, his 11-10 mark and 4.06 ERA seemed to indicate there were other issues. Then on August 25, it was reveled he would need Tommy John surgery on the same elbow (some of the medical staff have expressed concerns that this injury may have been the result of a careless surgeon - no names mentioned, who may have created the problem during the previous surgery).

Taylor missed all but the last few weeks of 2024, where he made 6 starts and was 0-4, with a 10.03 ERA, 22 K and 14 BB. The Aurora coaching staff were concerned. So much so that Taylor, who was Rule 5 eligible during the offseason, was almost left off the 40-man roster - at the last minute he was granted the last spot and Orlando Alarcon (who was that 2nd #2 pick from Hartford) was instead exposed (and drafted by Reno, where he pitched in relief and had a 4.43 ERA and has had two serious arm problems this year).

Taylor, though, should that Aurora's faith was placed in the right hands. He was 15-4, with a 2.64 ERA, with 177 K an d34 BB. His HRA number was the highest it's been (22), but he also threw the most innings in his career. He finished 2nd to teammate 'Terror' Diaz in many team stats. Diaz, who won the Rocky Mountain League Outstanding Pitcher Award, was deemed to have too many major league appearances to be eligible - he was clearly the best pitcher in the 'minors'.

For Taylor, who will turn 26 as the 2026 season begins, his spot in the organization is undetermined. He will certainly get a look during Spring Training, and injuries happen. It is expected that Diaz will get any first crack - and he may begin 2026 in the Aurora bullpen, but Taylor is likely to begin 2026 back at AAA, biding his time.

CL Tomás Moya was this years runner up, with a 2.60 ERA and 36 saves at Thornton. Maya was 3rd round pick in that same 2021 draft, Aurora's 4th overall that year.



Previous Winners:
Aurora Minor League Hitter of the Year
2024: LF Roberto 'Fudd' Martinez (AA/A)
2023: C Manny Castro (AAA)
2022: 2B Pablo Medrano (AAA)
2021: 2B Gabriel McIntyre (AAA)
2020: 2B Jack Speed (AAA)
2019: C Miguel Angel Gálvez (AAA)
2018: OF Paul Carlisle (AAA)
2017: C Rusty Butler (AAA)
2016: LF Artie Thompson (AA/A)
2015: 3B Mike Britt (AA)
2014: 2B John 'Gypsy' Foster (AA)
2013: 1B Ken Coleman (AAA)

Aurora Minor League Pitcher of the Year
2024: SP Sam Gordon (AAA)
2023: CL Xavier Díaz (AA)
2022: CL Júlio Martínez (AA)
2021: CL Manuel Galloca (AAA)
2020: MR John Gray (AAA)
2019: SP Hyeon-Cheong Yong (AAA)
2018: SP Hyeon-Cheong Yong (AAA)
2017: SP Edgardo Rojas (AAA)
2016: CL Terry Burns (AA)
2015: SP Chris Graves (AAA)
2014: SP Christian George (S A)
2013: SP Nathan O'Reilly (AA)


NOTE: I've listed previous winners here because, aside for record purposes, the links for all previous winners (2014-2019) are broken.
Last edited by Borealis on Mon Mar 05, 2018 9:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: 2025 Minor League Players of the Year

#6 Post by Wind Dancers »

Hartford Minor League Hitter of the Year: OF Howard Harper (A)
Image
OF Howard Harper was far and away the top hitter in the organization in 2025 and excelled on both sides of the ball. Playing for the Cheyenne Frontier, Harper hit a solid .277/.336/.441 with 14 HRs and 65 RBIs. Cheyenne narrowly missed playoffs with a 71-58 record while playing in the stacked Big Sky Division. Howard played a pivotal role in the Frontier’s success leading the team in Hits (133), Runs (52), Doubles (27), Triples (5), and WAR (4.8 ).

Howard was a key player at the plate but found equal success in the field where he piled up a +14.7 zone rating and a perfect 1.000 PCT. His fielding efforts awarded him a Glove Wizard Award, his second after earning the same award last season in Short-A. After being drafted 15th overall in the 2024 draft, Howard has been tearing it up in the low minors early into his pro career.


Hartford Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP Masaharu Konishi (AAA)
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AAA Starter Masaharu Konishi was the minor league pitcher of the year as the ace of the Lincoln Emancipation. This doesn’t come as a surprise to many Hartford fans after Konishi was ranked the #27 prospects to begin the season. Konishi spent time during the winter honing in his control and those efforts seemed to pay off as he has put himself on the map. Konishi wrapped up 2025 with a 13-8 record, 2.84 ERA, and a 7.97 K/9 in an otherwise unspectacular season for the team.

With a fastball topping out at 99mph, forkball, and splitter, he is expected to earn a role in the big leagues next season. A first round product of the 2021 draft, Masaharu has always had a cannon arm but raised a lot of questions about his control. But with the extra work he has put in, Konishi has turned into a dominant force on the mound who looks forward to appearing in Hartford.
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Re: 2025 Minor League Players of the Year

#7 Post by Evas »

Landry had another solid season in 2025, this time in AAA Kyoto. His bat continues to look marginal against RHP (.275/.329/.676) but very solid against LHP (.320/.355/.820). Fortunately for Errol, the Evas are hungry for offense against LHP and are already stacked against RHP, so the splits might not be a problem despite teh fact that 70% of his PA's will be against RHP. The key to his game though is his glove, not his bat, and he continued to deliver there - posting a +15.2 ZR and 1.061 EFF. That projects out to +19.5 ZR over 162 games. That would be a gigantic boost considering everyone besides Landry combined for -0.2 ZR in 2025. Landry made is debut in 2025, but struggled. Despite the early results, he should get a long, but not unlimited, leash in 2026 to prove his worth.

On the pitching side, Hirai was once again nothing short of excellent. He continued his relentless climb towards the majors by dominating AAA even more thoroughly than he did AA in 2024. His stats were excellent across the board - 2.29 ERA, 0.89 WIP, 2.97 FIP, 75.0 QS% - though he was aided by a low .222 BABIP. Hirai seems poised for a jump to the SS rotation in 2026. If there is a knock on him it's that none of his pitches truly stand out. Rumor has it that he is being considered for Winter Ball this off season to refine his repertoire.

Historical SS Winners:
Shin Seiki Minor League Hitter of the Year
2025: 2B Errol Landry (AAA)
2024: 2B Errol Landry (AAA)
2023: RF Rowan 'Bleeder' Stuart (SS-A)
2022: RF Rowan 'Bleeder' Stuart (SS-A)
2021: SS Torazo Kodama (SS-A)
2020: SS Torazo Kodama (SS-A)
2019: ?
2018: ?

Shin Seiki Minor League Pitcher of the Year
2025: SP Soetsu Hirai (AAA)
2024: SP Soetsu Hirai (AAA)
2023: RP Millard Norman (SS-A)
2022: RP Juro 'Tempo' Sumita (SS-A)
2021: SP Arinori Mochizuki (AAA)
2020: SP Arinori Mochizuki (AAA)
2019: ?
2018: ?
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Re: 2025 Minor League Players of the Year

#8 Post by Leones »

Havana Minor League Hitter of the Year: 3B Oliver Lucero (AAA)
Havana Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP Allen Cook (AAA)
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Re: 2025 Minor League Players of the Year

#9 Post by Alleghenies »

West Virginia Minor League Pitcher of the year: Alfredo Zambrano AAA
West Virginia Minor League Hitter of the year: Ryosei Ohayashi AAA
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Re: 2025 Minor League Players of the Year

#10 Post by Borealis »

Alleghenies wrote:West Virginia Minor League Pitcher of the year: Alfredo Zambrano AAA
Win an Award, now Hit the Road, Jack...
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Re: 2025 Minor League Players of the Year

#11 Post by Alleghenies »

Borealis wrote:
Alleghenies wrote:West Virginia Minor League Pitcher of the year: Alfredo Zambrano AAA
Win an Award, now Hit the Road, Jack...

I know right? Fire the GM
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Re: 2025 Minor League Players of the Year

#12 Post by Sandgnats »

Alleghenies wrote:
Borealis wrote:
Alleghenies wrote:West Virginia Minor League Pitcher of the year: Alfredo Zambrano AAA
Win an Award, now Hit the Road, Jack...

I know right? Fire the GM
:lol:
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Re: 2025 Minor League Players of the Year

#13 Post by Duane »

KyT Minor league hitter of the Year (AAA) LF Bartolo Mora
KyT Minor League Pitcher of the Year (AAA) SP Eric Elliott

This year we are truly selecting the best of each within the organization because we think their time is up on the farm. Mora appears to have an impact bat and eagle eye having only 33k to 36bb in 416ab this season, to go with his 19 homers and 70 rbi. Mora was a 2nd round pick in 2020 and appears to be ready to join the stallions in Kentucky. Elliott dominated AAA hitters in 25 games started 161ip and only 101 hits allowed, with an era of 1.96. He got the call up to Kentucky in September and stayed on to pitch in the playoffs (due to injuries). Elliott will be challenging for a rotation spot this Spring.

History:
2025 - LF Bartolo Mora SP Eric Elliott
2024 - LF Bartolo Mora CL Michael Vincent
2023 - RF Brandon Graham SP Roberto Camacho and Ramon Tellez
2022 - RF Brandon Graham SP Eduardo Gonzales and Ramon Tellez
2021 - 1B Ira Murdoch SP Eduardo Gonzales
2020 - none named
2019 - RF Collin Crow and 2B Jeff Henson MR Jonathan Francis
2018 - CF Jesus Lopez SP Shoichi Shimizu
2017 - 1B Jamie Espinoza CL Shawn Marshall
2016 - 1B Jamie Espinoza CL Leonard Snyder
2015 - SS Ramon Leach SP Larry Schultz
2014 - 1B Carlos Vazquez SP Avery Parkinson

*** can't find a thread for 2013 or earlier
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Re: 2025 Minor League Players of the Year

#14 Post by Ghosts »

A little bit late, but the Bears are happy to announce our minor league players of the year.

Hitter of the Year: CF Antonio Figueroa (AA) - .267/.319/.513, 30 HR, 82 RBIs, 14 SBs
In his second AA season, he really broke out as a slugging bat in the middle of the Sherwood Park batting order. Figueroa earned the promotion to AAA and is putting himself on the short list for a call up in the near future. He needs to work on his centerfield play but had no exposure to the position before 2025 and started to become more proficient there after early season struggles. We're very happy he didn't let those challenges in the field set him back in the batters box.


Pitcher of the Year: SP Bart Belcham (AA) - 22 GS, 7-7, 3.71 ERA, 111 K's in 114 IP
Belcham's numbers are not eye popping but when considering he put them up in AA as a 19 year old it becomes a little bit more impressive. Unfortunately, Belcham dealt with some injuries during the year and is currently rehabbing a shoulder issue. We expect to limit his innings in 2026 and keep him in AA to see if he can improve upon this season's numbers. He is very smart and has a huge work ethic so we hope he can rehab through the injury and continue to develop his craft on the hill.
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Re: 2025 Minor League Players of the Year

#15 Post by Dinosaurs »

José Díaz may currently be blocked from earning an OF job for Fargo, but it isn't for lack of effort. He led Sioux Falls in WAR last season with 3.1, and combines a solid bat (119 OPS+) with above average defense in RF (+9.1 Zone Rating). Drafted in the 4th round of the 2022 draft, José Díaz has moved through the organization one level each year, and from most reports is ready to make the jump to the bigs at some point this season if the opportunity presents itself.

Michael Jackson appeared in 43 games for the A-ball Bismarck Battleships as their closer. He was pretty dominant, saving 23 games with a 173 ERA+ and 48 strikeouts in 47.1 innings pitched. He's a former first round pick, from the 2024 draft and is set to start the year in AA where he can make the jump to AAA hopefully this season if he can improve on his control, otherwise his stuff and movement are already there.
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