Eastern League Top MLB Prospect Award

Eastern League
Top MLB Prospect Award
SportBaseball
LeagueEastern League
Awarded forBest regular-season rookie in the Eastern League
CountryUnited States
Presented byEastern League
History
First awardCliff Floyd (1993)
Most recentSamuel Basallo (2024)

The Eastern League Top MLB Prospect Award is an annual award given to the best rookie player in Minor League Baseball's Eastern League based on their regular-season performance as voted on by league managers.[1] Broadcasters, Minor League Baseball executives, and members of the media have previously voted as well.[2] Though the league was established in 1938,[3] the award was not created until 1993 as the Rookie of the Year Award.[4] After the cancellation of the 2020 season,[5] the league was known as the Double-A Northeast in 2021 before reverting to the Eastern League name in 2022.[6][7] The Top MLB Prospect Award began to be issued instead of the Rookie of the Year Award in 2021.[8]

Fourteen outfielders have won the award, the most of any position. First basemen, with seven winners, have won the most among infielders, followed by third basemen and shortstops (3) and second basemen (1). Three catchers and one pitcher have won the award.

Eleven players who have won the Top MLB Prospect Award also won the Eastern League Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) in the same season: Cliff Floyd (1993), Mark Grudzielanek (1994), Jay Payton (1995), Vladimir Guerrero (1996), Calvin Pickering (1998), Marlon Byrd (2001), Ryan Howard (2004), Jordan Brown (2007), Brandon Laird (2010), Darin Ruf (2012), and Cavan Biggio (2018).[4] The only pitcher to win the award, Juan Acevedo (1994), also won the Pitcher of the Year Award in the same season.[4]

Seven players from the Reading Fightin Phils have been selected for the Top MLB Prospect Award, more than any other team in the league, followed by the Harrisburg Senators (5); the Akron RubberDucks and Binghamton Rumble Ponies (4); the Altoona Curve, Chesapeake Baysox, and New Haven Ravens (2); and the Erie SeaWolves, Hartford Yard Goats, New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Portland Sea Dogs, Somerset Patriots, and Trenton Thunder (1).

Seven players from the Philadelphia Phillies Major League Baseball (MLB) organization have won the award, more than any other, followed by the Washington Nationals organization (5); the Cleveland Guardians and New York Mets organizations (4); the Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and New York Yankees organizations (2); and the Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, and Toronto Blue Jays organizations (1).

Winners

[edit]
A man in a gray baseball uniform
Cliff Floyd won the first Rookie of the Year Award in 1993.
A man in a navy baseball jersey and white pants
Grady Sizemore, the 2003 winner, became a three-time MLB All-Star (2006–2008).[9]
A man in a white baseball uniform and red cap
Ryan Howard, the 2004 winner, won the 2005 National League Rookie of the Year Award and the 2006 NL MVP Award.[10]
Key
Position Indicates the player's primary position
^ Indicates multiple award winners in the same year
Year Winner Team Organization Position Ref(s).
1993 Cliff Floyd Harrisburg Senators Montreal Expos First baseman [11]
1994^ Juan Acevedo New Haven Ravens Colorado Rockies Pitcher [12]
Mark Grudzielanek Harrisburg Senators Montreal Expos Shortstop [13]
1995 Jay Payton Binghamton Mets New York Mets Outfielder [14]
1996 Vladimir Guerrero Harrisburg Senators Montreal Expos Outfielder [15]
1997 Mark Kotsay Portland Sea Dogs Florida Marlins Outfielder [16]
1998 Calvin Pickering Bowie Baysox Baltimore Orioles First baseman [17]
1999 Pat Burrell Reading Phillies Philadelphia Phillies First baseman [18]
2000 Alex Escobar Binghamton Mets New York Mets Outfielder [19]
2001 Marlon Byrd Reading Phillies Philadelphia Phillies Outfielder [20]
2002 Dee Haynes New Haven Ravens St. Louis Cardinals Outfielder [21]
2003 Grady Sizemore Akron Aeros Cleveland Indians Outfielder [22]
2004 Ryan Howard Reading Phillies Philadelphia Phillies First baseman [23]
2005 Chris Roberson Outfielder [24]
2006 Kory Casto Harrisburg Senators Washington Nationals Third baseman [25]
2007 Jordan Brown Akron Aeros Cleveland Indians First baseman [26]
2008 Wes Hodges Third baseman [27]
2009 Michael D. Taylor Reading Phillies Philadelphia Phillies Outfielder [28]
2010 Brandon Laird Trenton Thunder New York Yankees Third baseman [29]
2011 Starling Marte Altoona Curve Pittsburgh Pirates Outfielder [30]
2012 Darin Ruf Reading Phillies Philadelphia Phillies First baseman [31]
2013 Alex Dickerson Altoona Curve Pittsburgh Pirates Outfielder [32]
2014 Michael A. Taylor Harrisburg Senators Washington Nationals Outfielder [33]
2015 Gavin Cecchini Binghamton Mets New York Mets Shortstop [34]
2016 Rhys Hoskins Reading Fightin Phils Philadelphia Phillies First baseman [35]
2017 Francisco Mejía Akron RubberDucks Cleveland Indians Catcher [36]
2018 Cavan Biggio New Hampshire Fisher Cats Toronto Blue Jays Second baseman [37]
2019 José Azócar Erie SeaWolves Detroit Tigers Outfielder [38]
2020 None selected (season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic) [5]
2021 Adley Rutschman Bowie Baysox Baltimore Orioles Catcher [8][39]
2022 Ezequiel Tovar Hartford Yard Goats Colorado Rockies Shortstop [1][40]
2023 Jasson Domínguez Somerset Patriots New York Yankees Outfielder [41][42]
2024 Samuel Basallo Bowie Baysox Baltimore Orioles Catcher [43][44]

Wins by team

[edit]

Active Eastern League teams appear in bold.

Team Award(s) Year(s)
Reading Fightin Phils (Reading Phillies) 7 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2012, 2016
Harrisburg Senators 5 1993, 1994, 1996, 2006, 2014
Akron RubberDucks (Akron Aeros) 4 2003, 2007, 2008, 2017
Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Binghamton Mets) 3 1995, 2000, 2015
Chesapeake Baysox (Bowie Baysox) 1998, 2021, 2024
Altoona Curve 2 2011, 2013
New Haven Ravens 1994, 2002
Erie SeaWolves 1 2019
Hartford Yard Goats 2022
New Hampshire Fisher Cats 2018
Portland Sea Dogs 1997
Somerset Patriots 2023
Trenton Thunder 2010

Wins by organization

[edit]

Active Eastern League–Major League Baseball affiliations appear in bold.

Organization Award(s) Year(s)
Philadelphia Phillies 7 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2012, 2016
Washington Nationals (Montreal Expos) 5 1993, 1994, 1996, 2006, 2014
Cleveland Guardians (Cleveland Indians) 4 2003, 2007, 2008, 2017
Baltimore Orioles 3 1998, 2021, 2024
New York Mets 1995, 2000, 2015
Colorado Rockies 2 1994, 2002
New York Yankees 2010, 2023
Pittsburgh Pirates 2011, 2013
Detroit Tigers 1 2019
Miami Marlins (Florida Marlins) 1997
St. Louis Cardinals 2002
Toronto Blue Jays 2018

References

[edit]

Specific

  1. ^ a b Terranova, Rob (November 8, 2022). "Double-A Award Winners and All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  2. ^ Jackson, Josh (October 6, 2021). "MiLB's Double-A Award Winners and All-Stars". Major League Baseball. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  3. ^ "Eastern League (AA) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "Season-Ending Awards". Eastern League. Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  6. ^ Reichard, Kevin (February 12, 2021). "Minor League Baseball Overhaul Unveiled". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  7. ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Postseason All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  9. ^ "Grady Sizemore Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  10. ^ "Ryan Howard Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  11. ^ "Cliff Floyd Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  12. ^ "Juan Acevedo Minor, Mexican & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  13. ^ "Mark Grudzielanek Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  14. ^ "Jay Payton Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  15. ^ "Vladimir Guerrero Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  16. ^ "Mark Kotsay Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  17. ^ "Calvin Pickering Minor, Mexican, Winter, Korean & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  18. ^ "Pat Burrell Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  19. ^ "Alex Escobar Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  20. ^ "Marlon Byrd Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  21. ^ "Dee Haynes Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  22. ^ "Grady Sizemore Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  23. ^ "Ryan Howard Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  24. ^ "Chris Roberson Minor, Fall, Winter, Mexican & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  25. ^ "Kory Casto Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  26. ^ "Jordan Brown Minor, Winter & Mexican Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  27. ^ "Wes Hodges Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  28. ^ "Michael Taylor Minor, Winter & Fall Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  29. ^ "Brandon Laird Minor, Fall & Japanese Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  30. ^ "Starling Marte Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  31. ^ "Darin Ruf Minor, Fall, Winter & Korean Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  32. ^ "Alex Dickerson Amateur, College, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  33. ^ "Michael A. Taylor Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  34. ^ "Gavin Cecchini Minor, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  35. ^ "Rhys Hoskins College, Amateur, Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  36. ^ "Francisco Mejia Minor, Winter & Fall Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  37. ^ "Cavan Biggio Amateur, College, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  38. ^ "Jose Azocar Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  39. ^ "Adley Rutschman Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  40. ^ "Ezequiel Tovar Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  41. ^ Trezza, Joe. "The 2023 Double-A All-Stars and Award Winners". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  42. ^ "Jasson Domínguez Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  43. ^ "Minor League Postseason All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  44. ^ "Samuel Basallo Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 25, 2024.

General

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