Midwest League
Top MLB Prospect Award
SportBaseball
LeagueMidwest League
Awarded forBest regular-season rookie in the Midwest League
CountryUnited States
Presented byMidwest League
History
First awardArturo Miro (1956)
Most recentEdwin Arroyo (2023)

The Midwest League Top MLB Prospect Award is an annual award given to the best rookie player in Minor League Baseball's Midwest League based on their regular-season performance as voted on by league managers.[1] League broadcasters, Minor League Baseball executives, and members of the media have previously voted as well.[2] Though the league was established in 1947,[3] the award was not created until 1956 as the Prospect of the Year Award.[4] After the cancellation of the 2020 season,[5] the league was known as the High-A Central in 2021 before reverting to the Midwest League name in 2022.[6][7] The Top MLB Prospect Award began to be issued instead of the Prospect of the Year Award in 2021.[2]

Sixteen outfielders have won the Top MLB Prospect Award, the most of any position. Shortstops, with 14 winners, have won the most among infielders, followed by third basemen (4), first basemen (3), and second basemen (1). Twelve pitchers and five catchers have also won the award.

Twenty-four players who have won the Top MLB Prospect Award also won the Midwest League Most Valuable Player Award in the same season: Willie Wilson (1975), Paul Molitor (1977), Bill Foley (1978), Dave Stockstill (1979), Von Hayes (1980), Luis Medina (1986), Tom Redington (1989), Reggie Sanders (1990), Salomón Torres (1991), Steve Gibralter (1992), Pablo Ozuna (1998), Albert Pujols (2000), Adrián González (2001), Prince Fielder (2003), Brian Dopirak (2004), Carlos González (2005), Ben Revere (2008), Dee Strange-Gordon (2009), Mike Trout (2010), Rymer Liriano (2011), Byron Buxton (2013), Eloy Jiménez (2016), Bo Bichette (2017), and Andy Pages (2021).[2][4]

Six players from the Cedar Rapids Kernels have been selected for the Top MLB Prospect Award, more than any other team in the league, followed by the Waterloo Indians (5); the Beloit Sky Carp and South Bend Cubs (4); the Burlington Bees, Clinton Pirates, Great Lakes Loons, Lansing Lugnuts, Peoria Chiefs, and Quad Cities River Bandits (3); the Dayton Dragons, Fort Wayne TinCaps, Kenosha Twins, Wausau Timbers, West Michigan Whitecaps, and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (2); and the Bowling Green Hot Rods, Decatur Commodores, Kane County Cougars, Kokomo Dodgers, Michigan City White Caps, and Rockford Royals (1).

Eight players from the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball (MLB) organization have won the award, more than any other, followed by the Chicago Cubs organization (6); the Cincinnati Reds organization (5); the Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Milwaukee Brewers organizations (4); the Detroit Tigers, San Francisco Giants, and St. Louis Cardinals organizations (3); the Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Guardians, and Seattle Mariners organizations (2); and the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, and Toronto Blue Jays organizations (1).

Winners

A man in a dark baseball cap
Juan Marichal, the 1958 winner, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983.[8]
A man in a dark sports coat and orange, blue, and white plaid shirt
Paul Molitor, the 1977 winner was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004.[9]
A man in a navy blue baseball jersey and gray pants
Alex Rodriguez, the 1994 winner, won the American League Most Valuable Player Award in 2003, 2005, and 2007.[10]
A man in a gray baseball uniform and navy blue batting helmet
Albert Pujols, the 2000 winner, won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2001 and the NL MVP Award in 2005, 2008, and 2009.[11]
A man in a navy baseball jersey and batting helmet with gray pants
Joe Mauer, the 2002 winner, won the AL MVP Award in 2009.[12]
A man in a red baseball jersey and batting helmet with gray pants
Mike Trout, the 2010 winner, won the AL Rookie of the Year Award in 2012 and the AL MVP Award in 2014, 2016, and 2019.[13]
Key
Position Indicates the player's primary position
^ Indicates multiple award winners in the same year
Winners
Year Winner Team Organization Position Ref(s).
1956 Arturo Miro Clinton Pirates Pittsburgh Pirates Pitcher [14]
1957 None selected [4]
1958 Juan Marichal Michigan City White Caps San Francisco Giants Pitcher [15]
1959 Dale Reichert Kokomo Dodgers Los Angeles Dodgers Shortstop [16]
1960 Bob Sprout Decatur Commodores Detroit Tigers Pitcher [17]
1961 Dennis Ribant Davenport Braves Milwaukee Braves Pitcher [18]
1962 Barry Shollenberger Waterloo Hawks Boston Red Sox Pitcher [19]
1963 None selected [4]
1964 None selected [4]
1965 None selected [4]
1966 None selected [4]
1967 None selected [4]
1968 None selected [4]
1969 None selected [4]
1970 None selected [4]
1971 None selected [4]
1972 None selected [4]
1973 None selected [4]
1974 None selected [4]
1975 Willie Wilson Waterloo Royals Kansas City Royals Outfielder [20]
1976 Clint Hurdle Waterloo Royals Kansas City Royals Outfielder [21]
1977 Paul Molitor Burlington Bees Milwaukee Brewers Shortstop [22]
1978 Bill Foley Burlington Bees Milwaukee Brewers Catcher [23]
1979 Dave Stockstill Wausau Timbers Chicago Cubs Outfielder [24]
1980 Von Hayes Waterloo Indians Cleveland Indians Third baseman [25]
1981 Harold Reynolds Wausau Timbers Seattle Mariners Second baseman [26]
1982 Mark Grant Clinton Giants San Francisco Giants Pitcher [27]
1983 Shawon Dunston Quad Cities Cubs Chicago Cubs Shortstop [28]
1984 Kurt Stillwell Cedar Rapids Reds Cincinnati Reds Shortstop [29]
1985 B. J. Surhoff Beloit Brewers Milwaukee Brewers Catcher [30]
1986^ Luis Medina Waterloo Indians Cleveland Indians Outfielder [31]
Steve Gasser Kenosha Twins Minnesota Twins Pitcher [32]
1987 Derek Parks Kenosha Twins Minnesota Twins Catcher [33]
1988 Tom Gordon Appleton Foxes Kansas City Royals Pitcher [34]
1989 Tom Redington Burlington Braves Atlanta Braves Third baseman [35]
1990 Reggie Sanders Cedar Rapids Reds Cincinnati Reds Outfielder [36]
1991 Salomón Torres Clinton Giants San Francisco Giants Pitcher [37]
1992 Steve Gibralter Cedar Rapids Reds Cincinnati Reds Outfielder [38]
1993 Johnny Damon Rockford Royals Kansas City Royals Outfielder [39]
1994 Alex Rodriguez Appleton Foxes Seattle Mariners Shortstop [40]
1995 Javier Valentín Fort Wayne Wizards Minnesota Twins Catcher [41]
1996 Britt Reames Peoria Chiefs St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher [42]
1997 Francisco Cordero West Michigan Whitecaps Detroit Tigers Pitcher [43]
1998 Pablo Ozuna Peoria Chiefs St. Louis Cardinals Shortstop [44]
1999 Corey Patterson Lansing Lugnuts Chicago Cubs Outfielder [45]
2000 Albert Pujols Peoria Chiefs St. Louis Cardinals Third baseman [46]
2001 Adrián González Kane County Cougars Florida Marlins First baseman [47]
2002 Joe Mauer Quad Cities River Bandits Minnesota Twins Catcher [48]
2003 Prince Fielder Beloit Snappers Milwaukee Brewers First baseman [49]
2004 Brian Dopirak Lansing Lugnuts Chicago Cubs First baseman [50]
2005 Carlos González South Bend Silver Hawks Arizona Diamondbacks Outfielder [51]
2006 Cameron Maybin West Michigan Whitecaps Detroit Tigers Outfielder [52]
2007 Clayton Kershaw Great Lakes Loons Los Angeles Dodgers Pitcher [53]
2008 Ben Revere Beloit Snappers Minnesota Twins Outfielder [54]
2009 Dee Strange-Gordon Great Lakes Loons Los Angeles Dodgers Shortstop [55]
2010 Mike Trout Cedar Rapids Kernels Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Outfielder [56]
2011 Rymer Liriano Fort Wayne TinCaps San Diego Padres Outfielder [57]
2012 Miguel Sanó Beloit Snappers Minnesota Twins Third baseman [58]
2013 Byron Buxton Cedar Rapids Kernels Minnesota Twins Outfielder [59]
2014 Andrew Velazquez South Bend Silver Hawks Arizona Diamondbacks Shortstop [60]
2015 Gleyber Torres South Bend Cubs Chicago Cubs Shortstop [61]
2016 Eloy Jiménez South Bend Cubs Chicago Cubs Outfielder [62]
2017 Bo Bichette Lansing Lugnuts Toronto Blue Jays Shortstop [63]
2018 Royce Lewis Cedar Rapids Kernels Minnesota Twins Shortstop [64]
2019 Wander Franco Bowling Green Hot Rods Tampa Bay Rays Shortstop [65]
2020 None selected (season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic) [5]
2021 Andy Pages Great Lakes Loons Los Angeles Dodgers Outfielder [66][67]
2022 Elly De La Cruz Dayton Dragons Cincinnati Reds Shortstop [68][69]
2023 Edwin Arroyo Dayton Dragons Cincinnati Reds Shortstop [70][71]

Wins by team

Active Midwest League teams appear in bold.

Team Award(s) Year(s)
Cedar Rapids Kernels (Cedar Rapids Reds) 6 1984, 1990, 1992, 2010, 2013, 2018
Waterloo Indians (Waterloo Hawks/Royals) 5 1962, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1986
Beloit Sky Carp (Beloit Brewers/Snappers) 4 1995, 2003, 2008, 2012
South Bend Cubs (South Bend Silver Hawks) 2005, 2014, 2015, 2016
Burlington Bees (Burlington Braves) 3 1977, 1978, 1989
Clinton Pirates (Clinton Pirates) 1956, 1982, 1991
Great Lakes Loons 2007, 2009, 2021
Lansing Lugnuts 1999, 2004, 2017
Peoria Chiefs 1996, 1998, 2000
Quad Cities River Bandits (Davenport Braves/Quad Cities Cubs) 1961, 1983, 2002
Dayton Dragons 2 2022, 2023
Fort Wayne TinCaps (Fort Wayne Wizards) 1995, 2011
Kenosha Twins 1986, 1987
Wausau Timbers 1979, 1981
West Michigan Whitecaps 1997, 2006
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Appleton Foxes) 1988, 1994
Bowling Green Hot Rods 1 2019
Decatur Commodores 1960
Kane County Cougars 2001
Kokomo Dodgers 1959
Michigan City White Caps 1958
Rockford Royals 1993

Wins by organization

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

Organization Award(s) Year(s)
Minnesota Twins 8 1986, 1987, 1995, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2018
Chicago Cubs 6 1979, 1983, 1999, 2004, 2015, 2016
Cincinnati Reds 5 1984, 1990, 1992, 2022, 2023
Kansas City Royals 4 1975, 1976, 1988, 1993
Los Angeles Dodgers 1959, 2007, 2009, 2021
Milwaukee Brewers 1977, 1978, 1985, 2003
Detroit Tigers 3 1960, 1997, 2006
San Francisco Giants 1958, 1982, 1991
St. Louis Cardinals 1996, 1998, 2000
Arizona Diamondbacks 2 2005, 2014
Atlanta Braves (Milwaukee Braves) 1961, 1989
Cleveland Guardians (Cleveland Indians) 1980, 1986
Seattle Mariners 1981, 1994
Boston Red Sox 1 1962
Los Angeles Angels 2010
Miami Marlins (Florida Marlins) 2001
Pittsburgh Pirates 1956
San Diego Padres 2011
Tampa Bay Rays 2019
Toronto Blue Jays 2017

References

Specific

  1. ^ Resnick, Jacob (November 9, 2022). "High-A Award Winners and All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Avallone, Michael (October 7, 2021). "MiLB's High-A Award Winners and All-Stars". Major League Baseball. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  3. ^ Sheehan, Stephanie (March 30, 2022). "Then and Now: Midwest League". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Midwest League Award Winners". Midwest League. Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on January 26, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 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. ^ "Juan Marichal Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  9. ^ "Paul Molitor Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  10. ^ "Alex Rodriguez Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  11. ^ "Albert Pujols Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  12. ^ "Joe MauerStats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  13. ^ "Mike Trout Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  14. ^ "Arturo Miro Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  15. ^ "Juan Marichal Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  16. ^ "Dale Reichert Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  17. ^ "Bob Sprout Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  18. ^ "Dennis Ribant Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  19. ^ "Barry Shollenberger Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  20. ^ "Willie Wilson Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  21. ^ "Clint Hurdle Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  22. ^ "Paul Molitor Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  23. ^ "Bill Foley Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  24. ^ "Dave Stockstill Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  25. ^ "Von Hayes Minor, Independent & Mexican Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  26. ^ "Harold Reynolds Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  27. ^ "Mark Grant Minor & CPBL Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  28. ^ "Shawon Dunston Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  29. ^ "Kurt Stillwell Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  30. ^ "B.J. Surhoff Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  31. ^ "Luis Medina Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  32. ^ "Steve Gasser Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  33. ^ "Derek Parks Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  34. ^ "Tom Gordon Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  35. ^ "Tom Redington Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  36. ^ "Reggie Sanders Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  37. ^ "Salomon Torres Minor & Korean Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  38. ^ "Steve Gibralter Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  39. ^ "Johnny Damon Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  40. ^ "Alex Rodriguez Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  41. ^ "Javier Valentin Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  42. ^ "Britt Reames Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  43. ^ "Francisco Cordero Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  44. ^ "Pablo Ozuna Minor, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  45. ^ "Corey Patterson Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  46. ^ "Albert Pujols Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  47. ^ "Adrián González Minor, Fall, Winter & Mexican Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  48. ^ "Joe Mauer Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  49. ^ "Prince Fielder Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  50. ^ "Brian Dopirak Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  51. ^ "Carlos González Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  52. ^ "Cameron Maybin Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  53. ^ "Clayton Kershaw Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  54. ^ "Ben Revere Minor, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  55. ^ "Dee Strange-Gordon Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  56. ^ "Mike Trout Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  57. ^ "Rymer Liriano Minor, Winter, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  58. ^ "Miguel Sanó Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  59. ^ "Byron Buxton Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  60. ^ "Andrew Velazquez Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  61. ^ "Gleyber Torres Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  62. ^ "Eloy Jiménez Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  63. ^ "Bo Bichette Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  64. ^ "Royce Lewis Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  65. ^ "Wander Franco Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  66. ^ "Postseason All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  67. ^ "Andy Pages Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  68. ^ "Postseason All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  69. ^ "Elly De La Cruz Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  70. ^ Samson, Brendan. "The 2023 High-A All-Stars and Award Winners". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  71. ^ "Edwin Arroyo Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 20, 2023.

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