Hope in Beantown

[OmahaBaseball]

Rodriguez Earns 2024 FSL MVP After Monster Season

Daytona Tortugas third baseman Hector Rodriguez capped off a sensational season by capturing the 2024 Most Valuable Player Award for the Florida State League, earning 9 of 10 possible first-place votes. The 20-year-old was a force at the plate all year, posting a stellar .404 batting average and .489 on-base percentage while collecting 129 hits, including 31 doubles, 5 triples, and 23 home runs. He drove in 85 runs and scored 86, anchoring Daytona’s lineup from start to finish.

Rodriguez finished well ahead in the final voting, tallying 135 points. Teammate Rece Hinds placed second with the remaining first-place vote and 95 points, while David Smith of the Lakeland Flying Tigers finished third with 74. The Tortugas were well-represented throughout the ballot, with Connor Burns and Sal Stewart also placing in the top ten, underscoring the strength of Daytona’s young core. Rodriguez’s breakout campaign not only delivered individual hardware but also solidified his status as one of the league’s brightest rising stars.

   Player                  Team      	       1st Place     Total Pts

Hector Rodriguez     Daytona Tortugas		  9		135
Rece Hinds	     Daytona Tortugas		  1		 95
David Smith	     Lakeland Flying Tigers	  0 		 74
Connor Burns  	     Daytona Tortugas  		  0  		 67
Shalin Polanco       Bradenton Marauders  	  0 		 60
Yhoswar Garcia	     Clearwater Threshers  	  0  		 49
Nick Morabito  	     St. Lucie Mets  		  0   	 	 31
Sal Stewart  	     Daytona Tortugas  		  0  		 25
P.J. Hilson  	     Lakeland Flying Tigers  	  0  		 23
Ricardo Rosario      Clearwater Threshers  	  0  	 	  9
Jorge Mendez  	     Clearwater Threshers  	  0  		  8
Peyton Graham  	     Lakeland Flying Tigers  	  0  		  4
Lonnie White Jr.     Bradenton Marauders  	  0  		  4
Dakota Kotowski      Clearwater Threshers  	  0  		  3
Izaac Pacheco  	     Lakeland Flying Tigers  	  0  		  2
Max Anderson  	     Lakeland Flying Tigers  	  0  		  1

[OmahaBaseball]

Rays Surge Late to Beat Red Sox 7–3 Behind Mead’s Big Night

St. Petersburg, FL — A tight game at Tropicana Field turned sharply in the late innings Thursday as the Tampa Bay Rays erupted for five runs over the seventh and eighth to defeat the Boston Red Sox 7–3. The win pulled Tampa Bay even with Boston in the standings at 83–70 as both clubs continue to chase postseason positioning.

Designated hitter Curtis Mead delivered the biggest swing of the night. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh and two men aboard, Mead blasted a 1–2 fastball from reliever Justin Slaten into the left-field seats for a three-run homer, flipping a 3–2 Boston lead into a 5–3 Tampa Bay advantage. Mead finished 2-for-3 with a walk, three RBI, and the eventual game-winner. The Rays weren’t done. In the eighth, Isaac Paredes lined a two-out RBI double and Ben Rortvedt followed with another run-scoring hit, pushing the margin to four. Tampa Bay totaled 13 hits, including three from Yandy Díaz, who doubled twice and drove in a run. Randy Arozarena and Taylor Walls each added multi-hit games, while Arozarena and pinch-hitter Amed Rosario contributed stolen bases.

Boston struck first in the opening inning on an RBI groundout by Vaughn Grissom and briefly reclaimed the lead in the fifth when Masataka Yoshida homered and Ceddanne Rafaela doubled to set up another run. But the Red Sox offense stalled from there, managing only six hits and struggling to solve Tampa Bay starter Jeffrey Springs, who scattered three runs over 7⅓ innings. Springs (14–8) struck out five and walked one across 108 pitches (Game Score 58), while Jason Adam retired all five batters he faced to secure his second save. For Boston, starter Logan Gilbert battled through five innings and allowed two runs on seven hits (Game Score 47), but the bullpen faltered. Slaten (charged with his first blown save) and Anthony Gose (1-1) combined to allow five runs in 2⅔ innings.

The game lasted 3:30 and drew a crowd of 30,169 under the Trop’s dome. With both teams now tied in the standings, the final stretch of the 2024 season promises a tense finish.

Player of the Game: Curtis Mead

AL East Standings: Tied 2nd Place, 8 Games Behind

[OmahaBaseball]

Kershaw Spins One-Hit Gem as Dodgers Edge Marlins

Clayton Kershaw turned back the clock on Wednesday night, delivering a vintage performance to push the Los Angeles Dodgers past the Miami Marlins, 1–0, at loanDepot Park. The veteran left-hander was in full command, firing a dazzling one-hit shutout with eight strikeouts and two walks (Game Score 91), barely giving Miami a hint of opportunity.

Kershaw retired the first 11 batters he faced and carried a no-hitter into the sixth before a sharp single to right broke it up. It hardly mattered. He continued to breeze through the Marlins’ lineup, leaning on a sharp slider and well-placed fastballs to keep hitters guessing. The Dodgers scratched across the game’s lone run in the fourth, which proved more than enough behind Kershaw’s dominance.

The win improved the 36-year-old’s record to 12–10 on the season. He now owns a 3.97 ERA across 197 innings in 31 starts, while opponents are hitting just .212 against him. For one night in Miami, Kershaw was nearly untouchable — and the Dodgers were happy to ride his brilliance.

[OmahaBaseball]

A Crop of Northwest League Sluggers Earn Platinum Stick Honors

A mix of established standouts and rising talents were recognized today as the Northwest League announced its 2024 Platinum Stick Award winners, celebrating the league’s top offensive performers at each position.

Hillsboro’s Christian Cerda claimed the catching honor after posting a .255/.431/.367 line with 5 homers and a 116 wRC+, showcasing elite on-base skills. His teammate LuJames Groover III earned the award at first base, batting .309 with 12 home runs and a 133 wRC+. Everett second baseman Colt Emerson turned in one of the league’s most complete offensive seasons, hitting .296/.395/.521 with 20 homers and 4.8 WAR. At third, Spokane’s Connor Kaiser delivered a strong .251/.421/.484 performance marked by 11 home runs and a 140 wRC+.

Spokane shortstop Ryan Ritterproduced one of the league’s signature seasons, slugging 41 homers with 105 RBI and a 6.4 WAR to take his position’s award. In left field, Everett’s Lazaro Montes mashed 35 homers and put up a robust 171 wRC+, while Spokane center fielder Benny Montgomery paired 29 homers with 20 steals and 114 runs scored in a dynamic campaign worth 6.7 WAR. Hillsboro’s Kristian Robinson captured the right field honor after belting 37 homers and slugging .556. Rounding out the group was Spokane designated hitter Bryant Betancourt, who hit .294 with a 127 wRC+ in 401 at-bats.

Together, the selections highlight a banner year for offense across the Northwest League, with several award winners positioning themselves as top prospects to watch in 2025.

[OmahaBaseball]

Crawford Mows Down Twins with 15 K’s

Boston, MA — Kutter Crawford (12-9) delivered a masterclass at Fenway Park, striking out a career-high 15 batters and carrying a one-hit shutout into the ninth inning as the Boston Red Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 7–4. The right-hander overwhelmed Minnesota’s lineup, generating whiffs all night and finishing with 126 pitches, 82 of them strikes. He allowed just one hit, two walks, and one run before handing the ball over with two outs in the ninth; Game Score 91.

Boston’s offense backed him with a decisive outburst in the fourth. Masataka Yoshida kicked off the scoring with a solo blast to right, his 16th home run of the season. After a Rafael Devers double later in the inning, Tyler O’Neill delivered the biggest swing of the night — a towering grand slam (30th home run of the season) off Pablo López, putting the Red Sox ahead 5–0. O’Neill finished with four RBI, continuing his strong power stretch.

Minnesota never mounted a threat until the ninth. López (13-8) struggled from the outset, lasting just 3.2 innings while allowing five runs on four hits, including the two homers; Game Score 23. Reliever Matt Canterino surrendered a two-run shot to rookie shortstop Marcelo Mayer (13th of the season) in the seventh, extending Boston’s lead to 7–1. Mayer finished with four total bases in another promising performance which should help his Rookie of the Year chances.

Boston’s comfortable cushion evaporated briefly when Nick Pivetta entered trying to record the final out. Pivetta allowed four straight hits and three earned runs without retiring a batter, giving the Twins sudden life. Max Kepler ripped a two-run double, and Carlos Correa and Matt Wallner added RBI hits as Minnesota pulled within 7–4. Liam Hendriks was called upon to stop the bleeding and did just that, coaxing a flyout for his 37th save.

The win lifted Boston to 84–70, tightening the American League playoff picture, while Minnesota dropped to 87–67 despite its late push. A crowd of 31,623 watched under cloudy skies as the Red Sox leaned on dominant pitching, early power, and just enough late relief to secure the victory.

Player of the Game: Kutter Crawford (Season: #13)

AL East Standings: Tied 2nd Place, 7 Games Behind

[OmahaBaseball]

Glove Wizard Award Winners Shine Across California League

The California League today announced its 2024 Glove Wizard Award recipients, recognizing the defenders whose instincts, range, and reliability turned would-be hits into easy outs all season long.

Modesto’s Teddy McGraw (25 TC / 1.000%) claimed the honor at pitcher, showcasing quick reactions off the mound and clean handling of bunts and comebackers. Behind the plate, Alberto Barriga (1019 TC / .999%) of Visalia earned the catching award, directing games with poise while shutting down the running game.

At first base, Devin Ortiz (539 TC / .998%) of Lake Elsinore impressed with soft hands and nimble footwork, while Jose Izarra (471 TC / .994%) of Rancho Cucamonga stood out at second, turning double plays smoothly and covering ground gap-to-gap. Visalia’s Manuel Peña (190 TC / .974%) secured the third-base award after a season of sharp reflexes and strong throws on the run. Inland Empire shortstop Denzer Guzman (353 TC / .994%) was honored for his elite range and consistency in the league’s most demanding infield spot.

The outfield trio showcased three distinct styles of excellence: Lake Elsinore left fielder Cristian Heredia (169 TC / 1.000%) cut off extra-base hits with speed and smart angles; Rancho Cucamonga center fielder Jake Vogel (249 TC / .992%) patrolled huge swaths of territory with ease; and Visalia right fielder Junior Franco (169 TC / 1.000%) combined a steady glove with one of the circuit’s most accurate arms.

[OmahaBaseball]

Spokane’s Cancel Named Northwest League Manager of the Year

Spokane Indians skipper Robinson Cancel was selected as the 2024 Northwest League Manager of the Year, earning recognition after guiding his club to a dominant 92–40 finish and the top spot in the league standings. Cancel, who insists everyone call him “Cap” or “Skip,” has long avoided the spotlight, and he downplayed his own role even as the award was announced. “It’s really unfair to the guys that busted their humps all year long to put all the focus on me now,” he said. “They showed up early, put in extra time in the cage, worked on their fielding, consulted with our coaching staff and really made 2024 a highlight in my career.” Spokane posted an impressive 1st-half record of 47-19 (.712%) and a 2nd-half record of 45-21 (.682%) to take the NWL championship.

[OmahaBaseball]

South Atlantic League Honors the 2024 Glove Wizards

“Hit ’em where they ain’t” might be a time-tested hitting mantra, but it loses its punch when defenders seem to materialize out of thin air. Across the South Atlantic League this season, those defensive standouts routinely turned would-be hits into loud outs, and today they finally step into the spotlight as the 2024 Glove Wizard Award winners.

Leading the group is Thomas Harrington (18 TC / 1.000%) of the Greensboro Grasshoppers, whose quick reactions and athleticism off the mound shut down countless bunt and chopper attempts. Behind the plate, Dominic Keegan (1231 TC / .998%) of Bowling Green commanded the Hot Rods’ defense with soft hands, steady blocking, and a knack for erasing would-be base stealers.

At first base, Greensboro’s Garret Forrester (901 TC / .999%) anchored the infield with sure-handed consistency, while Hickory’s Cameron Cauley (290 TC / .997%) brought exceptional range and smooth turns to second. The hot corner belonged to Eddinson Paulino (125 TC / .992%) of Greenville, whose reflexes and arm strength turned line-drive threats into routine outs. At shortstop, Greensboro’s Jack Brannigan (398 TC / .990%) dazzled with acrobatic plays deep in the hole and a reliable internal clock.

In the outfield, the Drive’s Eduardo Lopez (172 TC / 1.000%) patrolled left with fearless routes and dependable jumps. Cesar Yanquiel Hernandez of Asheville (360 TC / .989%) covered center field gap-to-gap with ease, often turning extra-base hits into long, frustrated walks back to the dugout. Rounding out the trio, Hickory’s Alejandro Osuna (143 TC / .986%) brought a cannon arm and smooth strides to right field.

Together, these nine defensive dynamos defined excellence with the glove—and left a long trail of robbed hits to prove it.

[OmahaBaseball]

Twins Push Past Red Sox Behind Ryan’s Gem

Boston, MA — The Minnesota Twins blended early power with steady pitching and just enough late offense to secure a 7–4 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday afternoon at Fenway Park. Right-hander Joe Ryan (13-14) delivered one of his sharpest performances of the season, striking out nine over seven commanding innings to earn his 13th win; Game Score 74. He allowed only three hits—a solo homer in the fifth being the lone blemish—and walked two while throwing 64 of his 99 pitches for strikes.

Minnesota struck first in the second inning when Carlos Correa launched a solo shot over the Green Monster for a 1–0 lead. Correa later added a sacrifice fly as part of a two-RBI afternoon. The Twins continued to pressure Boston starter Brayan Bello in the fifth, stringing together a rally that featured Paul Goldschmidt’s leadoff triple and an RBI double from Royce Lewis. Max Kepler and Manuel Margot each chipped in with two-out RBI hits during the mid-game surge, helping Minnesota push ahead 5–1 by the time Bello exited after 4⅔ innings. Goldschmidt paced the Twins’ offense with a five-total-base day that included two hits, a walk, and his first triple of the season. Lewis, Kepler, Margot, and Christian Vázquez each supplied multi-hit games as Minnesota accumulated 12 hits and left nine runners on base. Kepler also swiped his 13th stolen base of the year.

Boston’s offense sputtered early but surged late, sparked by rookie catcher Kyle Teel’s solo homer in the fifth. Marcelo Mayer carried the Red Sox lineup, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, a triple, and two RBI, including a run-scoring double in the eighth. Rafael Devers added an RBI double of his own as Boston chipped away at a 7–2 deficit in the final two innings. Reliever Jhoan Duran, normally reliable, was tagged for three runs on six hits over the final two innings. Still, he managed to shut the door with the tying run on deck in the ninth after Mayer’s two-run triple brought Fenway to life.

Bello (15–13) struggled with command for Boston, issuing four walks to go with eight hits over 109 pitches; Game Score 28. Minnesota’s balanced attack and Ryan’s efficiency ultimately proved too much for the Red Sox, who fell to 84–71 as they continue battling for postseason position. The Twins, meanwhile, improved to 88–67 with the win, strengthening their own playoff outlook.

Player of the Game: Joe Ryan

AL East Standings: Tied 2nd Place, 8 Games Behind

[OmahaBaseball]

Dodgers’ Glasnow Silences Rockies in One-Hit Shutout

Los Angeles, CA — Tyler Glasnow delivered one of his finest performances of the season Wednesday night, carving through the Colorado Rockies lineup in a dominant 3–0 Dodgers victory at Dodger Stadium.

The 31-year-old right-hander was nearly untouchable, allowing just one hit across a masterful outing that featured no walks and nine strikeouts in 108 total pitches; Game Score 94. Working with a smooth rhythm and pounding the zone early, Glasnow kept Colorado guessing all night.

With the win, Glasnow improved to 19–6 on the year, lowering his season ERA to 3.55 over 34 starts. On a team loaded with star power, he once again showed why he’s been one of Los Angeles’ most reliable arms in 2024.

[OmahaBaseball]

Hughes Runs Away With Northwest League Outstanding Pitcher Award

Spokane right-hander Gabriel Hughes added another highlight to his breakout year, being named the 2024 Northwest League Outstanding Pitcher Award winner in unanimous fashion.

Hughes dominated virtually every time he took the mound, crafting a 6–1 record across 10 starts while piling up 71 strikeouts against just 21 walks in 68.1 innings. His crisp command and lively mix helped him post a superb 2.24 ERA, and opposing hitters managed only a .184 average against him.

The 22-year-old received all six first-place votes, finishing with 42 total points in the balloting. Spokane teammate Sean Sullivan placed second with 19 points, while Eugene’s Reggie Crawford took third with 16. The remainder of the voting rounded out as follows:

   Player                  Team      	       1st Place     Total Pts

Gabriel Hughes	     Spokane Indians		  6		42
Sean Sullivan	     Spokane Indians		  0		19
Reggie Crawford	     Eugene Emeralds		  0		16
Royber Salinas	     Hillsboro Hops		  0		11
Connor Van Scoyoc    Spokane Indians		  0	 	 7
Jack Mahoney	     Spokane Indians		  0	 	 4
Angel Chivilli	     Spokane Indians		  0	 	 2
Joel Hurtado	     Tri-City Dust Devils	  0	 	 1

[OmahaBaseball]

Midwest League Glove Wizards Honored

“Hit ’em where they ain’t” might be a sound strategy, but it tends to fall apart when defenders seem to materialize out of nowhere. Those slick-fielding standouts—often overlooked during the long grind of a season—took center stage today as the Midwest League announced its 2024 Glove Wizard Award winners.

This year’s selections highlight a mix of sure hands, quick feet and sharp instincts across the diamond. Wisconsin dominated the list, with the Timber Rattlers claiming three honorees: pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (144 TC / 1.000%), whose athleticism off the mound erased countless would-be hits; catcher David Garcia (1144 TC / .999%), a steady receiver with a reputation for shutting down the running game; and first baseman Mike Boeve (957 TC / .999%), whose soft hands and range turned tricky hops into routine outs.

Up the middle, Peoria’s Jeremy Rivas (436 TC / .991%) earned the award at second base, while Gage Workman (409 TC / .985%) of West Michigan took the shortstop honors with his blend of reach and anticipation. Lake County’s Gabriel Rodriguez (265 TC / .974%) captured the third-base award, anchoring the hot corner with quick reactions and a strong arm.

In the outfield, Dylan Neuse (152 TC / .993%) (Cedar Rapids) patrolled left with precision, Homer Bush Jr. (168 TC / .994%) (Fort Wayne) showcased elite coverage in center, and Clark Elliott (203 TC / .985%) (Lansing) rounded out the group in right with dependable routes and a knack for cutting down extra bases.

[OmahaBaseball]

Lavender Named South Atlantic League’s Top Reliever

At just 24 years old, Brooklyn Cyclones bullpen standout Nathan Lavender has been crowned the 2024 South Atlantic League Reliever of the Year, capping a dominant season that firmly placed him among the league’s elite arms.

Lavender anchored Brooklyn’s late-inning plans all year, converting 24 saves in 44 relief outings while piling up 67 strikeouts over 50.2 innings. His combination of swing-and-miss stuff and steady command fueled a 1.95 ERA and a 7–5 record, helping Brooklyn stay competitive deep into games.

Voters took notice. Lavender earned 8 of 12 first-place votes, finishing well ahead of Wilmington’s DJ Herz, who picked up the remaining 4. Jersey Shore’s Tommy McCollum placed third, followed by Bowling Green’s Jack Snyder and BlueClaws reliever Jose Lopez.

   Player                   Team      	          1st Place     Total Pts

Nathan Lavender	      Brooklyn Cyclones	     	     8 		   45
DJ Herz		      Wilmington Blue Rocks	     4 		   28 
Tommy McCollum	      Jersey Shore BlueClaws         0 		   25 
Jack Snyder	      Bowling Green Hot Rods	     0		    9 
Jose Lopez	      Jersey Shore BlueClaws 	     0		    1

[OmahaBaseball]

Red Sox Edge Twins in Rain-Shortened Finale

Boston, MA — A soaking, gray afternoon at Fenway Park forced an early ending, but not before the Boston Red Sox pieced together enough offense to secure a 4–3 win over the Minnesota Twins in a game halted after six innings due to increasingly heavy rain.

Boston’s momentum began in the second inning, when Ceddanne Rafaela lined his 32nd double of the season into the right-center gap and Masataka Yoshida followed with a sharply struck two-bagger (51st of season) off the wall. Triston Casas kept the pressure on, roping yet another double (20th of season) to plate Yoshida as part of a three-run frame. The Twins’ Brock Stewart struggled to contain the rally, allowing four hits in the inning before escaping further damage.

Minnesota chipped away in the fifth, when Paul Goldschmidt delivered a two-out RBI double (9th of season) to put the Twins on the board. But Boston answered immediately in the bottom half. With two outs and a runner aboard, Rafael Devers lashed a changeup into right-center for his 40th double of the season, extending the lead to 4–1 and bringing the damp Fenway crowd back to life.

Carlos Correa provided Minnesota’s biggest spark in the sixth. After Matt Wallner reached, Correa crushed a two-run homer over the Green Monster to pull the Twins within a run. It was his second hit of the afternoon and capped a standout performance that would later earn him Player of the Game honors. But as Correa rounded the bases, the rain that had nagged the game from first pitch grew heavier. By the time the inning ended, swirling sheets of rain turned visibility poor and the grounds crew stood ready. Moments later, the umpires called for the tarp, ending the contest after 2 hours and 25 minutes.

Jack Flaherty improved to 16–10 after striking out nine across five gritty innings, working around eight Minnesota hits; Game Score 47. Stewart (6–5) took the loss, allowing all four Boston runs over his five frames; Game Score 41. The shortened victory nudged Boston to 85–71, keeping postseason hopes alive, while Minnesota dropped to 88–68 as the regular season is quickly coming to a close.

Player of the Game: Carlos Correa

AL East Standings: Tied 2nd Place, 7 Games Behind
AL Wildcard Standings: Tied 2nd WC spot; 2 Game Lead

[OmahaBaseball]

Bohm Named NL Player of the Week

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm capped off a scorching stretch at the plate by being named the National League’s Player of the Week today. This is the 4th PofW award for Bohm this season.

Bohm was nearly unstoppable over the seven-day span, batting .538 (14-for-26) with one homer and 11 RBIs. Whether shooting line drives into the gaps or delivering in run-producing situations, he provided the spark that powered Philadelphia's offense throughout the week.

The Award adds to what has already been a standout season for the 28-year-old. Bohm is hitting .314 on the year with 31 home runs and 112 RBI, while scoring 80 runs. His 189 hits, .356 on-base percentage, and 6.2 WAR underscore the consistency that has made him one of the league’s toughest outs.

[OmahaBaseball]

Volpe Claims AL Player of the Week

Anthony Volpe showed exactly why the New York Yankees view him as a cornerstone of their future, earning the American League Player of the Week Award after a standout stretch of play.

The 23-year-old shortstop terrorized opposing pitchers, hitting .464 (13-for-28) with three home runs and six RBI. His combination of power, speed, and timely hitting helped fuel the Yankees’ offense and solidified his case for the weekly honor.

For the season, Volpe is batting .235 with 27 home runs, 102 runs scored, and 70 RBIs, along with a .306 on-base percentage. As he continues to mature at the plate, performances like this past week suggest his best baseball may still be ahead.

[OmahaBaseball]

Power Rankings -- Week 26

As the season comes to a close, the latest Power Rankings has a new leader at the top, with the Houston Astros (116.8 points) using an outstanding week to propel them into the lead. The Philadelphia Phillies (112.7 points) taking the 2nd spot, while the New York Yankees (112.2 points) being next. The Boston Red Sox (97.1 points) moved up one spot into the 10th spot. The Los Angeles Angels (59.3 points) have hold of last place.

Previous week's rankings: https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...&postcount=470

[OmahaBaseball]

Bieber Lands Massive Contract Extension

Cleveland received a welcome boost today, as ace right-hander Shane Bieber agreed to a five-year contract extension worth an average $31,620,000 per season (total value $158,100,000), ensuring he’ll remain the cornerstone of the Guardians’ rotation well into the future.

Bieber has been nothing short of dominant this year. The 29-year-old has put together a stellar 22-5 record over 33 starts, posting a 3.01 ERA across 251 innings. He’s held opponents to a .217 batting average, striking out 256 while issuing just 70 walks and allowing 202 hits.

2025	Age 30	$25,200,000
2026	Age 31	$29,400,000
2027	Age 32	$34,500,000
2028	Age 33	$34,500,000
2029	Age 34	$34,500,000

Promised Role:	Starting Pitcher

Cy Young Award Bonus	$340,000
All-Star Bonus		 $58,000
No Trade Clause

[OmahaBaseball]

California League Announces 2024 Platinum Stick Award Winners

The California League shined the spotlight on its top offensive performers today, unveiling the 2024 Platinum Stick Award recipients. The League commissioner’s remarks praised a “season of offensive excellence,” and the numbers behind these honorees back that up.

Rancho Cucamonga Angel Diaz claimed the catching honor after posting a strong .274/.383/.532 slash line with 17 homers and a 155 wRC+ that generated 3.3 WAR. At first base, San Jose’s Jairo Pomares earned the award with 20 home runs and a .548 slugging percentage in just 248 at-bats. Fresno dominated the infield selections. Second baseman Kelvin Hidalgo (.268, 18 HR, 138 wRC+) and third baseman Jean Perez (.294, 11 HR, 145 wRC+) each delivered balanced, impactful seasons, while shortstop Andy Perez added consistency with a .289 average and 12 homers across 408 at-bats while posting a 145 wRC+ and 3.2 WAR.

In the outfield, Rancho Cucamonga produced two more winners. Left fielder Josue De Paula led with an impressive 174 wRC+, and center fielder Jake Vogel turned in one of the league’s best all-around campaigns, tallying 12 steals, 10 homers, and a remarkable 7.5 WAR. Stockton’s Colby Thomas secured the right field honor after launching 27 home runs and a 142 wRC+. At designated hitter, Lake Elsinore’s Alain Camou rounded out the list with 15 home runs and a .348 on-base percentage.

[OmahaBaseball]

Medina Earns Midwest League Reliever of the Year Honors

At just 22 years old, Beloit Sky Carp right-hander Manuel Medina has been named the 2024 Midwest League Reliever of the Year, capping off a breakout season that firmly established him as one of the league’s most dominant bullpen arms.

Medina anchored the Beloit bullpen with poise beyond his years, converting 30 saves in 45 relief appearances while striking out 50 batters in 46.2 innings. His impressive 1.93 ERA and 4–4 record highlighted both his reliability and his ability to thrive in high-leverage spots.

Voters took notice. Medina earned 5 first-place votes and finished atop the ballot with 46 total points, edging out Dayton Dragons flamethrower Zach Maxwell, who actually received more first-place votes (6) but finished with 41 points. Peoria’s Nathanael Heredia claimed third place.

   Player                  Team      	      1st Place     Total Pts

Manuel Medina	      Beloit Sky Carp		  5	       46
Zach Maxwell	      Dayton Dragons		  6 	       41 
Nathanael Heredia     Peoria Chiefs 		  0 	       10 
Danis Correa	      Lansing Lugnuts 		  1  	        9 
Josh Wolf	      Lake County Captains 	  0	        2