2037 Minor League Players of the Year

[Board of the PEBA]

The Playoffs are here - and the Rodriguez Cup will be here soon, which means it's that time of year again - Awards Season is nearly upon us!! But you can get a head start with your individual Organization Awards for top Minor League Hitter and Pitcher!! You know the drill... 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: CF Angel 'Otter' Silva (AAA)
• Aurora Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP Hector 'Machete' Gutierrez (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).

[Harpoon]

• Hartford Minor League Hitter of the Year: RF Liam Coinneach (AAA)
• Hartford Minor League Pitcher of the Year: RP Fernando Ramos (AA)

[Hitmen]

Thank you to Jay for pointing out my error with a draftee. Correction made to our pitching Minor League winner.

New Jersey’s 2037 Minor League Hitter of the Year:
LF Tetsui Takahashi (AA) had a great season where he did almost all of the small things right. Played defense to a zone rating of 7.2, efficiency rating of 1.017 and a range of 2.31, leading the Atlantic Alliance in putouts, while being top 3 in overall range and top 4 in overall zone ratings in left field. He was 3rd in stolen bases with 69 for the season, top 6 in WAR, 2nd overall in runs, 3rd in walks overall at 82 base on balls, and had an OBP that was .114 points higher than his average. Takahashi wanted to make the most of his opportunity in Camden and took advantage to show what hard work can do for you.

Runners up included CF Richard Childress (SS-A), NJ's 7th round pick in the recent draft continued his collegiate success in showing why he might fight for a future spot on the roster and teammate, CF Tsuneari Okamoto (AA) who helped lock down the outfield with Takahashi and played a great complement in the field and at the plate in Camden.

New Jersey’s 2037 Minor League Pitcher of the Year:
SP Katsumoto Kouno (Hi-A), a former 6th round pick for the Kure Arsenal in the WIL, Kouno progressed tremendously in his second season since signing with the Hitmen's minor league system. At 22 years of age, Kouno feels he still has a lot to prove that he belongs despite being a top 40 prospect while with Kure.

Runner ups SP Ken Stewart (SS-A), NJ's 6th round pick, and teammate SP Axel Jacoby (SS-A), NJ's 8th round pick had similar success in college as a one time All-Star. Both starters put together a solid first season with Hilo. The tandem will look to continue to push each other as they train this coming off-season and the future.

Historical NJ Winners:
Minor League Hitter of the Year
2036: RF Adam Barnes (AAA)
2035: 1B Steve Ricks (Hi-A)
2034: RF Gelana Naybet (WIL)
2024 - 2033 - WIL: Researching the Archives
2020 - 2023: Researching the Archives
2019: SS Matt Thurman (AAA)
2018: 1B Carlos Rea (AAA)
2017: 3B Terry 'Lump Lump' Lovell (AAA)
2016: SS Matt Thurman (Hi-A)
2015: 3B Alberto Rodríguez (AA)
2014: 2B José Mateo (AAA / AA)
2013: RF Cliff Jones (NJ / AAA / AA)
2007 - 2012: Researching the Archives

Minor League Pitcher of the Year
2036: SP Brody Buggins (SS-A)
2035: SP Russ 'Rocky' Rhodes (AA)
2034: SP Yub Issa (WIL)
2024 - 2033 - WIL: Researching the Archives
2020 - 2023: Researching the Archives
2019: CL Júlio 'Tapper' González (AAA)
2018: SP Dusty Garland (AAA)
2017: SP William Kelly (Hi-A)
2016: MR Sebastián Valentín (AAA)
2015: CL Glenn Martin (AA)
2014: SP Claude Risk (AA / Hi-A)
2013: SP Jonathan Peña (AAA / AA)
2007 - 2012: Researching the Archives

[Zephyrs]

* Reno Minor League Hitter of the Year: 2B Griff Aspinwall (AAA)
* Reno Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP Sozui Kimura (AAA)



Doesn't qualify because he was drafted this season but LF Harrison 'Quagmire' Neame has been amazing in 2037 he has mashed in College, SA, A and AA.

[Apollos]

Tempe Apollos Minor League Players of the Year - 2037

2037 Minor League Hitter of the Year:

Gael Hollingsworth

For the second consecutive season, Gael Hollingsworth wins the organization's award for offensive player of the year following a strong showing at AA Quebec City. Hollingsworth was again one of the league's youngest players and further showed his advanced approach at the plate slashing .248/.333/.507 in 140 games all at the age of 20. While Hollingsworth will not turn 21 until the middle of the 2038 campaign, he has little left to prove in the minors and will likely begin the next season at AAA Chandler despite his youth. Hollingsworth's bat continues to be well ahead of his glove, and a future at DH looks likely as the team has allowed him to continue developing the stick while providing limited reps in the Frenchies outfield this year.

2037 Minor League Pitcher of the Year:

Eichiro Ogawa

Ogawa joined the Apollos organization as an unheralded 2nd round pick out of Oxford University in 2033 and has simply produced at a high level since his acquisition. 2037 was no different and Ogawa now firmly figures into the team's long-term plans despite the relative logjam at starting pitcher at the big league level. While 2037 was a repeat campaign for Ogawa at AAA Chandler, he improved his already stellar numbers in virtually every regard, tossing 199 innings in 28 starts and posting a 2.53 ERA to go along with a 0.95 WHIP and 154 K's. While not your traditional strikeout artist, Ogawa does have swing and miss stuff as his two plus offerings - a 4-seasom fastball that consistently sits in the upper 90's and a sharp, breaking slider - allow him to be a dual threat as he induces plenty of weak contact. Rumors within the organization suggest that Ogawa may be sent to winter ball this offseason to work on development of a third pitch as his secondary offerings have largely remained unused and there is a belief within the club's front offices that Ogawa has more value to the club as a starting option rather than a high-leverage reliever.

[Wind Dancers]

Toyama 2037 Minor League Batter of the Year: OF Natsu Kono (SA)

A bit of a quiet choice this season, Natsu Kono dominated SA for the Swamp Dragons in his first season there. Kono hit .285/.402/.459 in 362 AB's to go along with 14 HR's, 52 RBI's, and 32 SB's. Kono was also a solid defender in RF and CF and used his speed to leg out 3 triples.

Toyama 2037 Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP David Sanz (A)

After narrowly missing out on the award last season, David Sanz was a no-doubter in 2037. The 21yo went 15-4 with a 1.57 ERA and 145 K's across 166.1 innings. Sanz was great across the board with a 2.40 FIP, 0.4 HR/9, 2/2 BB/9, and 7.8 K/9. A potential stud in the making.

Historical Toyama Winners:
Toyama Minor League Hitter of the Year
2037:OF Natsu Kono (SA)
2036:LF Reggie Raines (AAA)
2035:LF Reggie Raines (A)
2034:LF Reggie Raines (SA)
2033:1B Won Ch'oe (R)
2032:SS Bernardo 'Smug' Rodriguez (R)
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
2037:SP David Sanz (A)
2036:SP Jung-hoon Kim (R)
2035:SP Zhong-yan 'Doogie' Ke (AA)
2034:SP Alfredo 'Destiny' Vargas (AAA)
2033:RP Hong-yeol Chong (AAA)
2032:SP Jeroen Smit (AAA)
2031:SP Sa-yoor Ch'oe (AAA)
2030:SP Daniel Hernandez (AA)
2029:SP Todd Gustafson (AA)
2028:SP Silvio Bolt (AA)
2027:SP Mike Miller (AA)
2026:SP Felipe Morán (AAA)

[Badgers]

Kalamazoo Minor League Hitter of the Year: 2B Christof Pilsner(AA)
Kalamazoo Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP/RP Armando Olaguibel (A/AA/PEBA for 21 days)

[Arroyos]

Yuma Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP Tommy Atkins AA — 26 starts, 12 wins-4 losses, 2.19 ERA

Yuma Minor League Hitter of the Year: RF David Hernandez A — 441 PA, .297/.399/.631 with 33 HRs

[Thoroughbreds]

Kentucky's 2037 minor league players of the year are:



Hitter of the year: Second Baseman Toshiyuki Yokoyama AAA




Pitcher of the year: Starting Pitcher Edward Anderson A

[Underground]

2037 London Minor League Pitcher of the Year

SP Cecil Langley (A)

Langley was a somewhat unexpected ace for the Bears this season, starting 26 games and earning a 14-4 record on a 2.47 ERA. Langley struck out 200 batters and gave up just 8 home runs in 178.1 IP. One area Langley did struggle was with control, walking 100 batters over the season. Nevertheless Langley's 162 ERA+ points to an overall highly effective pitcher and while WAR may be a complicated stat for pitchers, his 5.0 WAR speaks for itself. Langley led the team in ERA, strikeouts, and IP while coming just one win shy of tying fellow starter Carlton Crago.

2037 London Minor League Batter of the Year

CF Noel Dulihanty (AA)

The 23 year old scouting discovery had a season for the Liverpool Beatles record books in 2037. Dulihanty batted a modest .253 but managed a staggering .401 OBP thanks to 106 walks. That walk total was good enough for the second highest single season total in Beatles history. Once on base, Dulihanty continued to torture pitchers and defense alike as he swiped 73 bases - a Beatles single season record and enough to lead all AA batters. All of this led to a 6.5 WAR for the season. Dulihanty led all AA batters in walks as well and was second in the league in OBP and WAR. Dulihanty will move to AAA next season where he will officially join the London logjam in the outfield.

Minor League POTY Record Roll (Winters/Seary Era)

Pitcher of the Year
2036: SP Antonio Mata
2035: SP Antonio Pena
2034: SP Rich Jones
2033: SP Rich Jones
2032: RP Dennis Bauer
2032: SP Jarred Erwin
2031: SP Luis Lopez
2030: SP Luis Lopez
2029: SP Norm Batstone
2028: SP Pete Blaquiere

Hitter of the Year
2036: CF Zak Osmond
2035: 1B Corey Navarro
2034: 1B Rocky Nichols
2033: 1B Rocky Nichols
2033: 1B Rocky Nichols
2032: SS Ellis Thackwray
2031: LF Bob Brown
2030: LF Bob Brown
2029: 3B Arturo Rodriguez
2028: CF Rene Lems

[JayA]

Madison Minor League Hitter of the Year: 2B Rafael Martinez (Middle Bass Vinters - A)
Madison Minor League Pitcher of the Year: SP Jeremy Anderson (AAA)

[Borealis]

Aurora Announces 2037 Minor League Players of the Year
by Francis Ferry, NLN baseball beat writer

Minor League Hitter of the Year

1B Josh Whiskin (R)

Josh Whiskin was the 99th overall pick in the 2035 draft - a 3rd round pick for the Aurora Borealis out of Rockingham High School, in Perth, Australia. He wasted little time signing with the Borealis, where he was assigned to their Rookie club in Montserrat. There he quickly made a name for himself, twice hitting three home runs in a game in his first 10-weeks of pro ball - delighting fans with a 32 HR campaign. In 2036 he continued his power display - once again having a 3-homer game, while hitting 37 HR as he helped lead the Mystique to their first Paradise League title. This year, the now 20-year old had a 42 HR season, with a career best .276 average and 87 RBI - both HR and RBI 5th best in the IBC. In leading Montserrat to another 1st place finish, this time beating Aruba, Asmara and Aukland in winning the IBC Cup - winning the playoff MVP award for his 5 HR, 10 RBI performance in the Championship Series. He had 9 HR and 13 RBI throughout the post-season. He has 6-Grand Slams and 2-walk off homers in his three-year IBC career.

Josh will age out of Rookie Ball and play in Hawaii next season, where he is expected to compete with Juan Carlos Sanchez and possibly Robbie MacDonaugh for time at first base and DH. Though scouts worry about his ability to make better contact as he moves up the ladder, they are very pleased with the power that he has shown. For a power starved organization, Josh Whiskin might be a clutch find.

Minor League Pitcher of the Year

SP Jung-hyun Yi (SA)

Jung-hyun Yi was a scouting discovery out of Pusan, South Korea in 2032 and toiled in Aurora's International Complex until the 2034 season, being promoted to Montserrat, where he had a fine professional debut season. IN 2035 he was promoted to Mokule'ia, where he hasn't missed a start and has improved exceptionally well each season while leading the Oceanic to division titles each of his three-seasons - culminating with a 15-2 record and 1.81 ERA this year, with 144 K and 58 BB over 134 IP - and just 2 HRA. Jung has been a 3-time Surf and Snow All-Star, a 3-time Hawaiian League Glove Wizard, and this season finished 3rd in the Hawaiian League voting for Outstanding Pitcher (to the outrage of everyone in the Aurora Organization). On the 7th of July last season, Yi threw a no-hitter against the Kauai Monsters (WV) - perennially one of the toughest clubs in the HL.

Yi has clearly nothing left to prove at Short A and will find himself promoted in 2038 - the question is - to where? Organizational scouts concur he's probably as good as he'll get - so it's a matter of determining to what extent his talent translates. Should Jung-hyun's success continue, we may see him move up the ladder next year from A Ball, through AA and on to AAA. He likely will be the arm to watch in the upper levels of Aurora's minors.

Previous Winners:
Aurora Minor League Hitter of the Year
2037: 1B Josh Whiskin (R)
2036: CF Declan 'Crackpot' Ingall (AAA)
2035: 3B David Simmons (AAA)
2034: C Pedro de la Cruz (AAA)
2033: CF Angel 'Otter' Silva (A/AA)
2032: LF Gabriel Rodriguez (AAA)
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
2037: SP Jung-hyun Yi (SA)
2036: SP Felix Rosa (SA)
2035: CL Toshikuni 'Werewolf' Kichida (AA/A)
2034: SP Victorio 'Javelin' Guerra (SA/A)
2033: SP Hector 'Machete' Gutierrez (A)
2032: SP Gordon Dobson (A/AA)
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.

[Claymores]

Scottish Claymores Minor League Players of the Year

Hitter
AAA 3B Kenkichi Daikawa

Kenkichi Daikawa spent most of his season at AAA Aberdeen, but received a late September call up to the Scottish. Daikawa smacked 35 HR, 68 xbh, .246/.321/.511, with an .832 OPS, 129 OPS+, and 3.7 WAR. Daikawa will be heading off to Winter Ball this offseason to improve his defense, but will have every opportunity to break camp this Spring with the Claymores.


Pitcher
AAA SP Thomas Connolly

Thomas Connolly continued climbing through the Claymores Farm System in 2037, starting the year at AA Iverness and finishing the year with AAA Aberdeen. Over the two levels combined, Connolly posted 28 starts, with a 3.22 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 110 ERA+ 3.35 FIP, and 2.4 WAR. Connolly still has a way to go in the control department, but his Stuff and Movement are truly elite.Connolly will be one of the Claymores attending Winter Ball this offseason.

[Bears]

Bakersfield Minor League Pitch of the year: SP Oliver Flores (AAA/AA)
Bakersfield Minor League Hitter of the Year: 3B Yoshifusa Kudo (R/S-A)

[Ghosts]

Niihama Minor League Hitter of the Year:

CF Jörg Puetz split the year between Gakidoi (A) and Ikari (AA), punishing A level pitching and more than holding his own once promoted to AA at age 23. In 201 PAs for Gakidou, Puetz slashed .269/.383/.602 with 17 HRs while manning CF. Once promoted to AA, he forced his way into a veteran-stacked lineup and contributed 312 PAs, 17 HRs, and a .358 wOBA while playing both CF and out of position at 3B.

Niihama Minor League Pitcher of the Year:

RP Matthew Craigie split his season between SSA ball, where he played well but not amazing, and A ball where he led Gakidou in most rate categories. In 18 appearances at A ball, Craigie posted a 1.31 ERA with 28 Ks and 9 BBs, good for a 50 FIP- and 12.2 K/9. In total, Craigie outperformed the field with great efficiency.

Ghosts MiL Players of the Year
Hitter of the Year
2037 CF Jörg Puetz
2036 RF Pedro Hernandez
2035 RF Carlos de la Garza
2034 3B/SS Jin-Song Zambrano
2033 IF/OF Miguel Fernandez
2032 3B Darius Freeman
2031 SS Victor Torres
2030 RF Kiyomitsu Kobayashi
2029 1B Bernardo Gonzalez
2028 CF Tomas Gonzalez
2027 SS Julian Bleazzard
2026 SS Maximo Lopez
2025 CF Joe Fairchild
2024 2B Bob Pinksen

Pitcher of the Year
2037 RP Matthew Craigie
2036 SP Armando Sanchez
2035 SP Fernando Valdez
2034 SP Fernando Valdez
2033 SP Anthony MacDonald
2032 SP Anthony MacDonald
2031 RP Mitchell Drewry
2030 P Yoshifumi 'Snuffy' Ohara
2029 P Forrest Carr
2028 SP Noritada Akiyama
2027 SP Cesar Silva
2026 P Mike Porter
2025 P Mike Porter
2024 P Juan Alonso