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
Juan Marichal , the 1958 winner, was inducted into the
Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983.
[8]
Paul Molitor , the 1977 winner was inducted into the
Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004.
[9]
Alex Rodriguez , the 1994 winner, won the
American League Most Valuable Player Award in 2003, 2005, and 2007.
[10]
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]
Joe Mauer , the 2002 winner, won the
AL MVP Award in 2009.
[12]
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]
Wins by team
Active Midwest League teams appear in bold .
Wins by organization
Active Midwest League–Major League Baseball affiliations appear in bold .
References
Specific
^ Resnick, Jacob (November 9, 2022).
"High-A Award Winners and All-Stars" . Minor League Baseball . Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
a
b
c Avallone, Michael (October 7, 2021).
"MiLB's High-A Award Winners and All-Stars" . Major League Baseball . Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^ Sheehan, Stephanie (March 30, 2022).
"Then and Now: Midwest League" . Minor League Baseball . Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
a
b
c
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e
f
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h
i
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o
"Midwest League Award Winners" . Midwest League . Minor League Baseball. Archived from
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^
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"2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved" . Minor League Baseball . June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020 .
^ Reichard, Kevin (February 12, 2021).
"Minor League Baseball Overhaul Unveiled" . Ballpark Digest . Retrieved February 13, 2021 .
^
"Historical League Names to Return in 2022" . Minor League Baseball . March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022 .
^
"Juan Marichal Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Paul Molitor Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Alex Rodriguez Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Albert Pujols Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Joe MauerStats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Mike Trout Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Arturo Miro Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Juan Marichal Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Dale Reichert Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Bob Sprout Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Dennis Ribant Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Barry Shollenberger Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Willie Wilson Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Clint Hurdle Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Paul Molitor Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Bill Foley Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Dave Stockstill Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Von Hayes Minor, Independent & Mexican Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Harold Reynolds Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Mark Grant Minor & CPBL Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Shawon Dunston Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Kurt Stillwell Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"B.J. Surhoff Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Luis Medina Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Steve Gasser Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Derek Parks Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Tom Gordon Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Tom Redington Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Reggie Sanders Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Salomon Torres Minor & Korean Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Steve Gibralter Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Johnny Damon Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Alex Rodriguez Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Javier Valentin Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Britt Reames Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Francisco Cordero Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Pablo Ozuna Minor, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Corey Patterson Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Albert Pujols Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Adrián González Minor, Fall, Winter & Mexican Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Joe Mauer Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Prince Fielder Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Brian Dopirak Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Carlos González Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Cameron Maybin Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Clayton Kershaw Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Ben Revere Minor, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Dee Strange-Gordon Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Mike Trout Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Rymer Liriano Minor, Winter, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Miguel Sanó Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Byron Buxton Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Andrew Velazquez Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Gleyber Torres Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Eloy Jiménez Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Bo Bichette Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Royce Lewis Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Wander Franco Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Postseason All-Stars" . Minor League Baseball .
Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Andy Pages Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Postseason All-Stars" . Minor League Baseball .
Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^
"Elly De La Cruz Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022 .
^ 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 .
^
"Edwin Arroyo Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics" . Baseball-Reference . Sports Reference. Retrieved September 20, 2023 .
General
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