CATEGORIES

INDEPENDENT/PARTNER LEAGUES PLAYER OF THE YEAR ADAM FOGEL, MISSOULA PADDLEHEADS

Adam Fogel sets the Pioneer League home run record in a season to remember

MINOR LEAGUE EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR MIKE ABRAMSON, HARTFORD YARD GOATS

Hartford GM Mike Abramson’s tireless dedication has made the Yard Goats one of the best tickets in the minor leagues

FREITAS AWARD: CLASS A COLUMBIA FIREFLIES

The Columbia Fireflies light the way for a community redevelopment project that benefits an entire city

FREITAS AWARD: DOUBLE-A SOMERSET PATRIOTS

From indy ball to affiliated, Somerset continues its tradition of excellence in fruitful partnership with the Yankees

FREITAS AWARD: TRIPLE-A SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS

Key initiatives and facility upgrades make Sacramento a top minor league attraction and also a natural fit as the Athletics’ home in 2025

MINOR LEAGUE MANAGER OFTHEYEAR ZACH VINCEJ, MODESTO

Zach Vincej led Modesto to back-to-back California League championships with teams brimming with top Mariners talent

MINOR LEAGUE TEAM OF THE YEAR LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS

The low-payroll Guardians rely on homegrown talent to fuel MLB success. Midwest League-champion Lake County provides optimism for the future.

MLB COACH OF THE YEAR CHRIS FETTER, TIGERS

Chris Fetter applies all the right touches to a Tigers pitching staff that clawed its way toward the top

MLB EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR MATT ARNOLD, BREWERS

Continuity is the Brewers’ secret weapon. Matt Arnold made sure the 2024 club met expectations

MLB MANAGER OF THE YEAR DAVE ROBERTS, DODGERS

The Dodgers’ Dave Roberts has done things few managers have ever done. Now, he’s finally getting his due.

TONY GWYNN AWARD ISMAEL CRUZ

In his four decades in the game, Dodgers international director Ismael Cruz has done things the right way. His legacy lives on not only via scouts in his family, but also the myriad protégés in key roles in the industry.

TRAILBLAZER OF THE YEAR CORY HAHN, DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs executive Cory Hahn inspires those with spinal cord injuries to accept failure, but never give up’

ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR SAN DIEGO PADRES

Late Padres chairman Peter Seidler and head of baseball operations A.J. Preller redefine what is possible in small-market San Diego

THE SERVICE TIME CONUNDRUM

MLB’s byzantine service time rules cloud rookie status and now PPI eligibility

LUIS TIANT WAS MLB'S MOST SUCCESSFUL CUBAN PITCHER

On a scouting trip to Cuba in 1957, Bobby Avila discovered 16-year-old righthander Luis Tiant on the island's Juvenile League all-star team.

ORGANIZATION REPORT

Outfielder Heston Kjerstad's career has been unique, to say the least.

TOP 10 NL EAST

From the moment Thomas White stepped on a high school mound, he was viewed as the top lefthander available in the 2023 draft.

PREPARATION PAYS OFF

lowa politician J.D. Scholten makes a surprising return to pro ball at age 44

MAKING THE GRADE

Assessing the future value of graduated National League prospects

TOP 10 NL WEST

Even in high school, Bryce Eldridge could hit the ball a mile. The 6-foot-7 righthander could also touch 96 mph off the mound.

Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.

Aaron Judge and Oneil Cruz are 6-foot7 sluggers who stand out for their power in this year’s MLB Best Tools voting. Wood spent half of this season with Triple-A Rochester before making his MLB debut on July 1. While he was in the International League, he captured managers’ attention. Wood unanimously won Best Power Prospect and also claimed Most Exciting Player in a survey of league skippers. Wood hit .353/.463/.595 with 10 home runs in 52 games for Rochester. His .242 isolated slugging was the best for a player 21 or younger at Triple-A this season.

ROAD BLOCK?

Scholarship expansion puts mid-majors at a major disadvantage on the road to Omaha

ROYALS REVIVAL

A revamped and rejuvenated farm system has Kansas City ready to rebound

SUMMER STANDOUTS

The top prospects in summer college leagues are poised to impact the 2025 draft

FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10

Last year’s Florida Complex League prospect crop has been beset by lengthy injuries to many of its top players, including Yankees pitchers Henry Lalane and Carlos Lagrange, Mets infielder Marco Vargas and Red Sox catcher Johanfran Garcia.

IN WITH THE NEW

The 2024 draft is in the books. The trade deadline is history.

WALCOTT BLASTS OFF

It took some time for Rangers shortstop Sebastian Walcott to find his footing at High-A Hickory.

A RECORD NIGHT FOR COLLEGIANS

Four key takeaways from the 2024 draft

K.C.MASTERPIECE

Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. wins games for the Royals with his bat, glove, speed and baseball IQ. He might be the most tooled-up player in the game.

HOW THE MAJORS HAVE CHANGED FOR YOUNG PLAYERS

When negotiating the 2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement, the MLB Players Association prioritized the earning power of young major league players, especially young stars.