2031 Minor League Players of the Year

[Borealis]

The Playoffs are beginning - and the Rodriguez Cup is poised upon the horizon, which means it's that time of year again - Awards Season is nearly here!! But you can get a head start with your individual Organization Awards for top Minor League Hitter and Pitcher!! You know the routine... If you want to do a bigger posting in you blogs (or ~gasp~ home page, and add to your CP haul) - knock yourselves out! Just a listing here is sufficient, with a link back to your blog or Front page article, 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:

• Aurora Minor League Hitter of the Year: 3B Jorge Soto (AAA)
• Aurora Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP Andres Canales (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).

[Wind Dancers]

Hitter of the Year: C Kevin Newton (AAA)

Pitcher of the Year: SP Sa-yoor Ch'oe (AAA)


Historical Toyama Winners:
Toyama Minor League Hitter of the Year
2031:C Kevin Newton (AAA)
2030:C Kevin Newton (AA)
2029:LF David Trujillo (AAA)
2028:LF David Trujillo (A)
2027:CF Pedro 'Tiger' Alvarez (AA)
2026:LF Ramiro Salinas (AAA)

Toyama Minor League Pitcher of the Year
2031:SP Sa-yoor Ch'oe (AAA)
2030:P Daniel Hernandez (AA)
2029:SP Todd Gustafson (AA)
2028:SP Silvio Bolt (AA)
2027:SP Mike Miller (AA)
2026:SP Felipe Morán (AAA)

[Bears]

Bakersfield Minor League Hitter of the Year: C Mauro Mata (A/AA)
Bakersfield Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP Aurelio Mata (AAA)

[Ghosts]

Since the WIL is somewhat of an unorthodox platform without an actual minor league system, I'll need to be a bit loose in candidacy for MiPOY awards. Since the competition level of the WIL is more AAA than PEBA, if a player meets age criteria and hasn't had significant WIL experience before this season, I'll consider them eligible.

While no hitters that played a bunch for the Ghosts meet those criteria exactly, I would like to award SS Victor Torres with my minor league Hitter of the Year award. The WIL's #1 prospect only got a few plate appearances, but in that time he looked ready to not only take on AAA/WIL competition as a 22-year-old but to excel while doing so. Torres will make an impact at the PEBA level soon.

As for pitchers, there is an easy awardee for the Ghosts Minor League Pitcher of the Year: RP Mitchell Drewry. The 21-year-old's electric three pitch arsenal led to Mitchell dominating WIL hitters with am 11.4 K/9 rate, and 0.93 WHIP, and a 1.20 ERA. He needs some polishing before he can contribute against PEBA competition, but he's not far off.

[ScottH]

Duluth Minor League Hitter of Year RFGreg Stanley AA now PEBA

Duluth Minor League Pitcher of Year SP Chris Howe A

[Zephyrs]

Reno Minor League Hitter of the Year: 1B Jonathan Hill (AA/AAA)
Reno Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP Francisco Cordero(AA)

[Badgers]

Hitter of the Year: LF Randy Laing (AA/AAA)

Pitcher of the Year: SP Ogai Ono (AA/AAA)

[Hitmen]

Press release from The Malthouse: Revolving Tap;

The Malthouse's first year presenting the data for the new Madison Malts, no longer your Canton Longshoremen, so you know I had to do some digging and pull up your old favorites in the past 24 years of PEBA. Admittedly, this writer did still find some holes he will continue to diligently look to fill for the team history as we move forward. But enough gushing about the Malts who made great progress this year, let's get on to the winners!

Madison's 2031 Minor League Hitter of the Year:

3B Tony Velázquez (SS-A) is only the second hitter selected as low as SS-A for the MAD/CAN franchise. Batting an impressive .282/.379/.480 for the year in 107 games played, Tony was able to compile a WAR of 4.9 for the Eagles who unfortunately could only put together a 53-57 record for the year and walk away tied for 4th in the division. Tony has a bright future in store for him since being called up early after the trade with SS in 2029. Current expectations is that he will one day replace Marcos Sánchez at 3rd. This year's runner up is 3B Callum MacInnes who put in an impressive year as well in AA Youngstown.

Madison's 2031 Minor League Pitcher of the Year:

SP Jorge Lorenzo (Hi-A) is this year's Minor League Pitcher of the year, despite tough competition behind impressive seasons by SP Pepe Ramírez (AA) and teammate, SP Jorge Camarillo (Hi-A). What won it for Jorge was his 1.68 ERA, 0.88 WHIP in 26 games pitched with 20 of those being quality starts. Jorge has an impressive future ahead of him if he continues to grow and improve year over year as he has all three years of his minor league career so far.


Historical CAN Winners:

Minor League Hitter of the Year
2030: 2B Steve Overgaag (AAA)
2029: RF Raúl Costello (AAA)
2024-2028: Information Being Recovered
2023: CF Vaclav Verlaan (AAA)
2022: CF Vaclav Verlaan (Hi-A)
2021: SS Gonzalo Gonzalez (AA/AAA)
2020: C Cliff Mitchell (SS-A)
2019: LF Gabriel Martinez (AA/AAA)
2018: LF Ryan Smith (AAA)
2017: RF Peyton Bishop (AA/AAA)
2016: RF Brian Gustafson (Hi-A)
2015: 1B Rich Wheeler (AA)
2014: 1B Jose 'Vapor Lock' Martinez (AAA)
2007-2013: Information Being Recovered

Minor League Pitcher of the Year
2030: SP Atasuke Inoue (AA)
2029: SP Jason Baker (AA)
2024-2028: Information Being Recovered
2023: SP Colin Jameson (AA)
2022: SP Manuel Gonzalez (AA)
2021: SP Alfonso Romero (AA/AAA)
2020: SP/RF Juan Marquez (AA)
2019: SP Jim Hayden (AA)
2018: SP Brighton Burgess (SS-A)
2017: CL Pat Miller (AA/AAA)
2016: SP David Castro (AA)
2015: SP Hector Beltran (AAA)
2014: SP Jose Marquez (AAA)
2007-2013: Information Being Recovered

- Damson Actinon, The Malthouse: Revolving Tap

[KenH]

2031 Featherheads Bat of the Year Award Winner: RF Pedro Coronado (AAA)

Coronado put on a clinic this year, splitting even time between AA Beaufort and AAA Chesapeake. Coming into the season, Coronado was a promising RF prospect who came over in the offseason who looked as though he may have a future but the jury was still out. He silenced his doubters this year with an incredible season, making the jump from SA last year to AA and then to AAA in just one season. After this season, it's easy to dream on this young prospect as he looks to make a name for himself in PEBA as early as 2032.

2032 Featherheads Arm of the Year Award Winner: Edgardo 'Sureshot' Trevino (SA)

When Trevino hit the circuit in 2030, he was anything but a "sure shot." The tall wispy kid from Mexicali looked decent, but scouts were lukewarm on the prospect. Fringy movement and an effortful release had many believing that the kid projected as a middle relief option. While many scouts still see Edgardo's long-term prospects best fit for the bullpen, the results have been astounding. In his first taste as a starter in a league where he is one of the younger players, Trevino was a bulwark of the Imperialists' rotation. Through 21 games started, Trevino threw 108.2 innings while striking out a hefty 160, leading to a staggering 13.25 k/9 through an entire season. The results speak for themselves, and Trevino will almost definitely be back in his hometown next year, possibly starting for the Mexicali Schmoes.

[Borealis]

Aurora Announces 2031 Minor League Players of the Year
by Francis Ferry, NLN baseball beat writer

Minor League Hitter of the Year

LF Raul Munoz (AA/AAA)

Raul Munoz was the 15th overall selection in the 2030 draft - after having been the 13th selection in 2029 (Canton) and failing to sign, spent another year at Iowa. There was tremendous expectation for the former three-time ICOL All-Star, playoff MVP and Hitter of the Year, and he hasn't disappointed. Aurora selected the slick hitting, high OBP first basemen out of frustration with their own, former #1 selected 1B - Jose Torres. The threat of Munoz lurking must have lit a fire under Torres, as he had his best season with 31 HRs. Munoz will not be the high-homer guy, but he is expected to get on base. Last year, at SLRC he hit .297 after the draft, while posting a .791 OPS. He spent the first half at AA, where he continued to perform, hitting .309 with 25-2B in just 57 games - which earned him a promotion to Thornton. His average suffered a bit - dropping to .268 at AAA, but he still managed 15-2B and 5 HR.

Torres has been the starter for Aurora the past four years, with the exception of the latter part of last season, where he lost his job to a hot hitting Brandon Johnson. Johnson is not expected to be back for 2032, thus opening up a DH position that was mostly Johnson's domain. Munoz might not be quite ready for prime time, but if he were, he superior defensive skills could force Torres to compete for the DH role with others in the organization - including Ricardo Zamora and 2030 Draft Class mate, Gabriel Rodriguez, who could have just as easily picked up this award. Like Munoz, Rodriguez might be a year away.

Minor League Pitcher of the Year

SP Humberto Hernandez (AA)

It's not too often that these awards go to players who weren't highly touted out of the draft, but occasionally there is a player who performs well above draft expectations - and this year it's Humberto Hernandez, who spent the season at Gatineau who will take home the honor out of a crowded field of highly respected prospects. Selected in the 5th round of the 2028 draft, out of the University of Michigan, there were concerns coming out of the draft about his control, but he has improved that somewhat and he's slowly become one of the surprises in the Aurora organization. The two previous seasons, at SLRC, he posted ERA's of 2.30 and 2.10 - and this year at AA it was 1.59 - second best in the Great North and tops in the Pacific Alliance - to go along with his 18 wins - tops in AA play. He kept runners off base - teams hit just .154 against him and he posted a .190 BABIP - both also the best in the Great Northern League. He certainly must be a top contender for Pitcher of the Year. He is a three time minor league All-Star in his three professional seasons, and of his 27 GS, he gave up no runs in ten of them and just a run in another 11. It was unfortunate he chose his lone playoff start this year to have one of his three truly bad starts on the year.

Humberto is Rulle 5 eligible, so Aurora will be faced with a decision - to protect him or not - and with the season - and career path his taken, it would be a surprise if he didn't find himself on the 40-man roster. At 25 (just), you'd expect Humberto to move up to AAA, where there are a number of arms who could have won this award - but with the Parent club likely having some turnover in it's rotation, there should be no road block to Humberto's continued success.

UPDATE: Humberto was, indeed, named the Pitcher of the Year in the Pacific Alliance on the Great Northern League - and it was the unanimous choice!


Previous Winners:
Aurora Minor League Hitter of the Year
2031: 1B Raul Munoz (AA/AAA)
2030: LF Arturo Vega (AA)
2029: RF Stewart 'Litterbug' Arundale (AA/AAA)
2028: 3B Jorge Soto (AA)
2027: LF Ricardo Zamora (AAA)
2026: DH Michizane Shini (AAA/AA)
2025: LF Roberto 'Fudd' Martinez (AAA/AA)
2024: LF Roberto 'Fudd' Martinez (AA/A)
2023: C Manny 'Fido' 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 'Big Whiskey' Britt (AA)
2014: 2B John 'Gypsy' Foster (AA)
2013: 1B Ken Coleman (AAA)

Aurora Minor League Pitcher of the Year
2031: SP Humberto Hernandez (AA)
2030: SP Henry Cluett (AAA/AA)
2029: SP Pedro 'Sukoshi Netsu' Morales (A/AA)
2028: SP Andres Canales (A)
2027: SP Jesus Solis (AAA)
2026: SP Robert Thomas (AA)
2025: SP Billy Taylor (AAA)
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.

[Vic]

Scottish Minor League Hitter of the Year



First Baseman Kent McCarthy, a 23-year-old right-hander, is the Claymores’ Minor League Hitter of the Year. McCarthy, who came to Scotland’s organization in 2030 from Neo Tokyo as part of a trade for Closer Ken Fisher, put up 5.3 WAR for the Class A Govan Shipbuilders in 2031.

He slashed .248/.357/.426 with 26 doubles, 18 homers and 58 RBIs in 125 games for the Shipbuilders, and has punched his ticket for promotion to AA Inverness next season.



Minor League Pitcher of the Year

Bayesa Msamaki, a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher for the Inverness Highlanders, won the Claymores’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year for 2031. Msamaki went 15-7 with a 2.26 ERA in 28 starts for Inverness last season, with 5.4 WAR and a 2.29 FIP.

He came to the Scottish organization in 2030 as part of a trade that sent pitcher Neil Maes to the Alleghenies.

[Leones]

Havana Minor League Hitter of the Year: 1B Ramon Francisco (A)
Humble and hard working, Ramon was named the #33 prospect in the PEBA; he was picked up a NAFTA A AWL Player of the Week Award. He began the 2031 campaign in at the S-A level but was quickly promoted to A leagues ball where he posted a .266 AVG with 13 HR with an .822 OPS resulting in a 3.3 WAR for the season.


Havana Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP Jorge Hernandez (R)
Jorge is a quick learner. Last year he learned how to post an 11-0 record. This year he applied that knowledge to his 16 starts to craft an 11-1 record with a 1.72 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. Smart kid.

Previous Minor league players of the year

Havana Minor League Hitter of the Year
2031 1B Ramon Francisco (A)
2030 CF Juan "Red Eye" Mendoza (R)
2029 LF Paul 'Bananas' Oglethorpe (AA)
2028 SS Jong-pil 'Evil Ways' Yi (A)
2027 1B Vito Valkenburg (AAA)
2026 no selection
2025 3B Oliver Lucero (AAA)
2024 1B Vito Valkenburg (AA)
2023 1B Dewey Beatty (AAA)
2022 2B Yeong_hun Kim
2021 LF Shirai Matsura
Edo Minor League Hitter of the Year
2020 RF Motoki Suzuki (ML)
2019 3B Marcos Hernández (A)
2018 SS Glenn Hendricks (AAA)
2017 2B Toshinobu Murakami (AAA)
2016 C Masutaro Sato (AAA)
2015 CF Yasuo Fujii (AAA)
2014 LF Hiroshige Takeda

Havana Minor League Pitcher of the Year
2031 SP Jorge Hernandez (R)
2030 SP Jorge Hernández (R)
2029 SP Rob Patel (AA)
2028 SP Rob Patel (A)
2027 SP Celestino Corisca (A)
2026 no selection
2025 SP Allen Cook (AAA)
2024 SP Enrique 'Old Nick' Vázquez (PEBA)
2023 SP Hisanobu Harada (AA)
2022 SP Jonathan Sherwin
2021 SP Javier Arce
Edo Minor League Pitcher of the Year
2020 SP Kantaro Sakata (AAA)
2019 SP Jaoquín Marino (AAA)
2018 SP Naonobu Ota (A)
2017 P Sachi Tanaka (AAA)
2016 SP Sakutaro Nomura (A)
2015 SP Into Pesonen (AAA)
2014 SP Mutsuhito Kumatani

[MikeB]

MARCEL OSTERHOUT, SANTURCE (AA)
Osterhout, a 24-year old former 2028 first round pick, had not distinguished himself in the minor leagues...until this season. The 6'5" Dutch hurler went 17-3 with a 1.50 e.r.a. for the Castillos earning the Great Northern League ATAL Outstanding Pitcher Award. In addition to striking out 154 while walking just 28, he had seven complete games, including three shutouts. His best pitches are a slider and a forkball but since being drafted he has raised his fastball from sub-90s to 93 mph.

TRACY YOUNG, 1B, SANTURCE (AA)
In a close battle with last year's winner Ippei Ishikawa, Young's seven-home run postseason performance, including a Wild Card MVP, gave him the edge. Young hit .264 with 35 home runs and 90 RBI in the regular season, capturing the ATAL Outstanding Hitter honor. It followed a 32-home run performance last year in A ball. The former two-time Seton Hall all-star was a fourth-round pick in 2029. Ishikawa (.261, 31 HR, 85 RBI) posted a 6.7 WAR but did not have as many accoloades as last season.

[Ghosts]

SP Jorge Lorenzo (Hi-A) is this year's Minor League Pitcher of the year, despite tough competition behind impressive seasons by SP Pepe Ramírez (AA) and teammate, SP Jorge Camarillo (Hi-A). What won it for Jorge was his 1.68 ERA, 0.88 WHIP in 26 games pitched with 20 of those being quality starts. Jorge has an impressive future ahead of him if he continues to grow and improve year over year as he has all three years of his minor league career so far.

Incredible year for Lorenzo. He's going to anchor a rotation for a long time.

[Ghosts]

I love the historical records. For all you that maintain those, a round of applause.