Hope in Beantown

[OmahaBaseball]

International League Announces 2024 Glove Wizards

What does it take to win a Glove Wizard Award? In the International League, it demands a rare blend of baseball instincts and fearless effort. Sure, having quick feet or a strong arm helps, but the real standard is set by players with soft hands, sharp anticipation, tireless hustle, and the willingness to lay out in the dirt to steal an out. Those qualities define this year’s Glove Wizard all-defense team.

Pitcher Kade McClure (13 TC / 1.000%) of the Indianapolis Indians anchors the group, recognized for his calm presence on the mound and sharp fielding on bunts and comebackers. Behind the plate, Austin Hedges (1162 TC / .999%) of Columbus continues to set the benchmark for defensive catchers, controlling the running game and commanding the field with veteran savvy.

At first base, BJ Murray Jr. (773 TC / .999%) of Iowa showed exceptional range and soft hands, while Brooks Lee (603 TC / .993%) of St. Paul impressed at second with his fluid pivots and sure-handed reliability. At the hot corner, Jordan Groshans (293 TC / .980%) of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre turned in highlight-reel reactions and consistent precision. Shortstop Nick Ahmed (544 TC / .982%), long known for his defensive prowess, brought Gold Glove–caliber steadiness to Durham’s infield.

In the outfield, Rhylan Thomas (Syracuse) (190 TC / .984%) patrolled left with fearless jumps and strong routes, Jake Mangum (Durham) (206 TC / .990%) covered center like a vacuum, and Kameron Misner (Durham) (184 TC / .984%) completed the trio in right with agility and dependable reads. Together, these nine players embody the spirit of the Glove Wizard Award.

[OmahaBaseball]

Platinum Stick Winners Announced in South Atlantic League

Any South Atlantic League manager would love to pencil a Platinum Stick Award winner into the lineup, and this year’s group of offensive standouts showed exactly why. The 2024 honorees were recognized as the top hitters at their positions across the league, combining elite production, consistency, and game-changing power.

Bowling Green catcher Dominic Keegan set the tone with one of the league’s most dangerous all-around offensive seasons, slashing .320/.449/.607 with 29 homers and an eye-opening 181 wRC+. At first base, Greenville’s Alex Binelas matched that power stroke with 29 homers of his own and a .605 slugging percentage. Bowling Green’s Brayden Taylor claimed the second-base honor after a balanced year featuring 29 homers, 105 runs, and a 154 wRC+. At third, Greenville’s Eddinson Paulino delivered a stellar .318/.427/.593 line, pairing pop with speed for one of the league’s most dynamic profiles. Shortstop Hunter Haas added another trophy for Bowling Green with a .323 average while playing steady and productive baseball throughout the year.

The league’s most fearsome hitter may have been Bowling Green left fielder Colton Ledbetter, whose monstrous .377/.459/.709 line and 36 home runs powered him to a 211 wRC+—one of the most dominant offensive performances in the minors. Greensboro swept the outfield’s up-the-middle and right-side spots, with center fielder Jase Bowen (31 HR, .592 SLG) and right fielder Connor Scott (136 wRC+) anchoring the Grasshoppers’ attack. Rounding out the list, Jersey Shore’s Alexeis Azuaje took home honors at designated hitter thanks to his 41 home runs—one of the top totals in the league—establishing himself as a constant threat every time he stepped to the plate.

[OmahaBaseball]

Montgomery Claims Northwest League MVP Honors

The future looks extremely bright for Benny Montgomery. At just 22 years old, a time when many players are still trying to get their footing in the Northwest League, Montgomery has already established himself as one of the circuit’s premier talents. That status became official today, as the Spokane Indians outfielder was named the 2024 Northwest League Most Valuable Player.

"I didn't expect to hit .287 this year, that's for sure," Montgomery said with a smile. But his performance went far beyond batting average. The dynamic center fielder posted a stellar .407 on-base percentage and filled up the stat sheet with 145 hits, 33 doubles, 8 triples, 29 home runs, 76 RBI and 114 runs scored — numbers that made him a constant threat every time he stepped to the plate.

Montgomery earned 3 of the 6 possible first-place votes, edging out teammate Ryan Ritter, who finished second with 2 first-place votes. Everett’s Lazaro Montes placed third, collecting the remaining first-place vote.

   Player                    Team      	      1st Place     Total Pts

Benny Montgomery	Spokane Indians		  3		69
Ryan Ritter		Spokane Indians 	  2		62
Lazaro Montes		Everett AquaSox		  1 		54
Dyan Jorge	 	Spokane Indians 	  0 		35
Juan Guerrero 		Spokane Indians 	  0 		34
Colt Emerson 		Everett AquaSox 	  0 		32
Jonny Farmelo 		Everett AquaSox 	  0 		24
Kristian Robinson 	Hillsboro Hops 		  0 		24
Jack Hurley 		Hillsboro Hops 		  0 		 7
Druw Jones 		Hillsboro Hops 		  0 		 7
Gabriel Hughes 		Spokane Indians 	  0 		 4
Jorge Ruiz 		Tri-City Dust Devils 	  0 		 1
Sean Sullivan 		Spokane Indians 	  0 		 1

[OmahaBaseball]

Bauer Stifles Red Sox as Blue Jays Roll to 3–0 Victory

Toronto, ON — Trevor Bauer (11-12) delivered one of his sharpest outings of the season Monday night, tossing a dominant three-hit shutout to lift the Toronto Blue Jays to a 3–0 win over the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre. The veteran right-hander overpowered Boston with nine strikeouts, mixing late-breaking cutters and well-spotted fastballs while stranding all six Red Sox baserunners. He faced just 33 hitters and needed 120 pitches to finish the job; Game Score 88.

Toronto set the tone immediately. In the bottom of the first, Daulton Varsho worked a walk and swiped his 42nd base of the season before Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ripped a two-out RBI double into the right-center gap, putting the Blue Jays on top 1–0. Varsho and Guerrero were steady contributors throughout, with each notching a pair of hits. The Jays padded their lead in the fourth inning. After a leadoff single by Justin Turner and a walk to Alejandro Kirk, rookie infielder Addison Barger delivered a sharp single to left, scoring Turner. Guerrero followed by lining a two-out single to center, driving in his second run of the night and giving Toronto a 3–0 cushion. The hosts left additional runners aboard but maintained steady pressure on Boston starter Tanner Houck (16-10), who surrendered seven hits and three walks across seven innings while striking out seven; Game Score 55.

Boston never mounted a true threat, as their only hits came from Rafael Devers, Jarren Duran and Ceddanne Rafaela, and no runner advanced beyond first base after the third inning. Bauer’s ability to get quick outs—posting a 9–9 groundout-to-flyout ratio—kept him in control throughout. With the win, Toronto improved to 76–81, while Boston slipped to 85–72 as it continues to chase postseason positioning.

Player of the Game: Trevor Bauer

AL East Standings: 3rd Place, 71/2 Games Behind
AL Wildcard Standings: 3rd WC spot; 11/2 Game Lead

[OmahaBaseball]

Valenzuela Named South Atlantic League Manager of the Year

The Bowling Green Hot Rods’ remarkable 2024 campaign has earned their leader top honors. Manager Rafael Valenzuela was voted the South Atlantic League Manager of the Year after guiding Bowling Green to a dominant 101–31 record and a first-place finish in the Southern Division. Valenzuela credited his players for the club’s success. “A manager is only as good as the players he’s managing,” he told reporters. “If I didn’t have the talent to work with, making all the right moves wouldn’t have helped a bit.”

[OmahaBaseball]

Stratton Earns International League Reliever of the Year

At 34 years old, Chris Stratton has added a remarkable new line to his résumé, being named the 2024 International League Reliever of the Year. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs veteran called the honor a “milestone achievement,” noting, “I feel accomplished to win this when there are other younger, stronger, harder-throwing guys out there.”

The Tupelo, Mississippi native delivered one of the league’s steadiest seasons out of the bullpen. Stratton notched 34 saves across 53 relief appearances, working 60.1 innings with 58 strikeouts against just 7 walks. He posted a 4–8 record with a 2.69 ERA, anchoring Lehigh Valley’s late-inning plans from Opening Day through September. Voters recognized his dominance, awarding him all 20 first-place votes for a unanimous victory. Worcester’s Zack Kelly finished second, while Durham’s Colby White took third in the final tally.

   Player                 Team      	     1st Place    Total Pts

Chris Stratton	   Lehigh Valley IronPigs	20 	     100 
Zack Kelly	   Worcester Red Sox	 	 0 	      45 
Colby White	   Durham Bulls			 0 	      17 
Tim Herrin	   Columbus Clippers		 0            11 
Hunter Stratton	   Indianapolis Indians 	 0             7

[OmahaBaseball]

Midwest League Announces 2024 Platinum Stick Award Winners

The Midwest League honored its top offensive performers on Monday, unveiling the 2024 Platinum Stick Award recipients; one for each position. The Awards highlight the league’s most productive hitters, many of whom delivered standout seasons that put them firmly on the prospect radar.

Dayton led all clubs with three winners, including catcher Daniel Vellojin, whose potent mix of patience and power (.260/.376/.583 with 34 homers, 5.3 WAR) anchored the Dragons’ lineup. Teammate Sal Stewart claimed the third-base honor after posting a remarkable .330 average and a 178 wRC+, while center fielder Bubba Thompson rounded out Dayton’s trio with a dynamic season featuring 27 home runs, 24 steals, and 5.6 WAR.

Lake County placed two players on the list, headlined by right fielder Chase DeLauter (.324/.387/.643 with 28 homers, 173 wRC+) and designated hitter Johnathan Rodriguez (.278/.422/.633 with 27 homers and 182 wRC+); both among the league’s most feared sluggers. Other standout winners included Beloit first baseman Kemp Alderman (33 HRs), West Michigan’s steady second baseman Hao-Yu Lee (14 homers, 14 stolen bases, 132 wRC+), Great Lakes left fielder Chris Newell, who launched 35 homers while providing above-average defense and speed, and Cedar Rapids shortstop Rayne Doncon who smashed 20 homers.

[OmahaBaseball]

Blue Jays Stun Red Sox 8–7 After Boston Bullpen Collapses Late

Toronto, ON — What looked like a comfortable Boston victory unraveled in stunning fashion Tuesday night, as the Red Sox bullpen surrendered six runs over the final two innings in an 8–7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Boston starter Logan Gilbert was dominant, firing seven innings of two-run ball with seven strikeouts; Game Score 60. He exited with a 2–2 tie, and when the offense erupted for five runs in the eighth, it seemed Boston had taken full control. Key hits from Jarren Duran, Triston Casas, and Vaughn Grissom pushed the team ahead 7–2. But the relief corps could not hold it.

Left-hander Garrett Cleavinger was the first to falter, yielding a leadoff double and a two-run homer to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., trimming the lead to 7–4. Things deteriorated further in the ninth, when closer Liam Hendriks (4-7) (BS 6) entered and recorded only two outs while giving up four runs on four hits, including Addison Barger’s game-tying two-run blast. Hendriks also issued two costly walks and was charged with the blown save and loss after Justin Turner punched a walk-off single to left.

Despite the late collapse, Gilbert was named Player of the Game for his strong outing. But Boston’s bullpen undoing overshadowed his effort and dropped the Red Sox to 85–73, tightening their postseason outlook. Following starter Kevin Gausman's outing of 6 runs (4 earned) in 7 2/3 innings (Game Score 49), Reliever Yimi García (6-5) earned the win for Toronto after allowing one run in 1⅓ innings. The Blue Jays, now 77–81, overcame an early deficit and a five-run late-inning hole to secure one of their most dramatic victories of the season.

Player of the Game: Logan Gilbert (Season: #4)

AL East Standings: 3rd Place, 7 1/2 Games Behind
AL Wildcard Standings: 3rd WC spot; 1/2 Game Lead

[OmahaBaseball]

Morales Dominates Vote for California League’s Top Pitcher

When Luis Morales’ name appeared on the Stockton Ports’ lineup card in 2024, it all but assured opponents were in for a long night. That reputation became official today, as the standout right-hander was named the California League Outstanding Pitcher Award winner. Morales anchored the Ports’ rotation with 18 stellar starts, compiling a 7–5 record and a sparkling 2.19 ERA. He overwhelmed hitters all season, holding them to a .199 average while piling up 139 strikeouts against just 39 walks in 98.2 innings.

The award reflected that dominance: Morales earned 7 of the 8 possible first-place votes and finished with 53 points. Fellow Stockton starter Nathan Dettmer claimed the remaining first-place vote and placed second with 27 points, narrowly edging teammate Jake Garland, who also totaled 27 points but without a top vote. San Jose’s Jesus Rodriguez finished fourth with 13 points. For Morales, the honor caps a season in which he emerged as one of the league’s most overpowering and reliable arms — and one of the brightest young talents in the circuit.

   Player                    Team      	        1st Place      Total Pts

Luis Morales		Stockton Ports  	    7 		  53 
Nathan Dettmer 		Stockton Ports 		    1 		  27
Jake Garland 		Stockton Ports 		    0 		  27 
Jesus Rodriguez 	San Jose Giants 	    0 		  13
Gunnar Hoglund 		Stockton Ports 		    0 		   9
Dylan Lesko 		Lake Elsinore Storm 	    0 		   3
Alfred Morillo 		Visalia Rawhide 	    0 		   3 
Garrett McDaniels 	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes     0 	           1

[OmahaBaseball]

Platinum Stick Honors Handed Out to International League’s Best Bats

Pitchers across the International League spent much of 2024 searching for answers, but this year’s group of Platinum Stick Award winners rarely provided any. The league’s most dangerous hitters were recognized today, each honored for standout offensive seasons that anchored their respective clubs.

Omaha’s Luca Tresh claimed the catching award after posting a robust .304/.404/.585 line with 30 homers and 4.2 WAR. At first base, Charlotte slugger Carlos Pérez powered his way to the honor behind 41 homers and a league-best .657 slugging percentage. Columbus second baseman Juan Brito delivered consistency and on-base excellence, hitting .326 with 18 homers, while Memphis third baseman Thomas Saggese turned in one of the most complete seasons in the league. His .346 average, 46 homers, 122 RBI, and 5.6 WAR made him one of the IL’s defining stars.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre shortstop Oswaldo Cabrera added 31 homers and 14 steals to earn his award, and Gwinnett’s Jarred Kelenic dominated left field with a 42-homer, 104-RBI campaign. Indianapolis speedster Ji-hwan Bae took home the center-field honor after batting .308 with 30 steals, while Iowa’s Alexander Canario captured the right-field award with 38 homers and 103 RBI. Rounding out the group was Omaha designated hitter Tyler Gentry, whose .305 average and balanced power (.561) and on-base (.401) profile secured the final Platinum Stick of 2024.

[OmahaBaseball]

Painter Unanimous Pick for South Atlantic League’s Top Pitching Honor

Andrew Painter of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws is the South Atlantic League’s premier arm for 2024. The hard-throwing right-hander was unanimously selected as the league’s Outstanding Pitcher Award winner, earning all 12 first-place votes in a decisive ballot.

Painter anchored the BlueClaws’ rotation with 20 starts, posting a 7–5 record and a sparkling 2.14 ERA across 113.1 innings. He overpowered hitters throughout the season, piling up 164 strikeouts and emerging as one of the league’s most dominant performers. Aberdeen’s Trace Bright finished a distant second in the voting, followed by Bowling Green’s Yoniel Curet.

   Player                  Team      	     1st Place      Total Pts

Andrew Painter 		Jersey Shore		12 		84
Trace Bright		Aberdeen		 0		38 
Yoniel Curet		Bowling Green		 0		30 
Christopher Troye	Greenville		 0		26 
Erubiel Armenta		Jersey Shore		 0		19 
Luis Garcia		Hickory			 0		 4 
Thomas Harrington	Greensboro		 0		 3

[OmahaBaseball]

Red Sox Stifle Jays Behind Crawford, Win 4–1

Toronto, ON — Boston’s formula was simple and relentless Wednesday night: dominant starting pitching and a steady stream of home runs. The Red Sox used both to secure a 4–1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, improving to 86–73 as the regular season winds down. Kutter Crawford (13-9) dominated over eight sharp innings Wednesday night, with the right-hander scattered four hits, walked two and struck out five, earning his 13th win of the season; Game Score 73. Liam Hendriks (SV 38) closed it out in the ninth with a perfect 3 up / 3 down outing.

Boston’s offense came almost entirely via the long ball. Marcelo Mayer opened the scoring with a solo shot in the first, Triston Casas added another in the fourth, and Rafael Devers broke a 1–1 tie with a sixth-inning homer. Jarren Duran provided insurance with a ninth-inning blast, all four Red Sox runs coming off Toronto starter Chris Bassitt (7-16), who went the distance in the loss; Game Score 61. Bo Bichette scored Toronto’s lone run in the fourth, but the Jays managed just four hits on the night. With the win, Boston kept its postseason hopes alive, while the Blue Jays fell to 77–82 in a frustrating season marked by inconsistent offense.

Player of the Game: Kutter Crawford (Season: #14)

AL East Standings: 3rd Place, 7 Games Behind
AL Wildcard Standings: 3rd WC spot; 1 Game Lead

[OmahaBaseball]

Luzardo Spins No-Hitter, Stuns Twins at Target Field

There was magic on the mound at Target Field on Tuesday night as Miami Marlins left-hander Jesús Luzardo fired a No-Hitter, baffling Minnesota hitters and carrying the Marlins to a 4–0 victory.

Luzardo was in complete command from the first pitch, mixing power and precision in a masterful performance. He struck out 15 and walked two, never allowing the Twins to mount any meaningful threat; Game Score 100. “It was like I was in a dream,” Luzardo said after the final out. “The ball just went right where I wanted it to.”

The gem continues a strong campaign for the Miami ace. Over 218 innings this season, Luzardo has piled up 257 strikeouts while posting an 11–15 record and 3.80 ERA. For one night in Minneapolis, though, none of that mattered—only Luzardo’s dominance, and a no-hitter that won’t soon be forgotten.

[OmahaBaseball]

Santana Claims California League MVP After Power-Packed Season

At just 23 years old, Inland Empire 66ers right fielder Natanael Santana may only be scratching the surface of his potential. That notion becomes even more impressive considering his 2024 campaign was strong enough to earn him the California League Most Valuable Player Award. “See the ball, hit the ball,” Santana said. “That’s my basic approach.”

Simple as it sounds, the results were undeniable. Santana batted .236 with a .368 on-base percentage, appearing in 126 games and collecting 98 hits, 12 doubles, 2 triples, and a league-best 36 home runs. He drove in 77 runs and scored 68, anchoring the 66ers lineup all season.

Santana secured five of eight first-place votes, edging out Rancho Cucamonga’s Jake Vogel (.269/.429/.493; 7.5 WAR), who earned the remaining three and finished second. Stockton’s Colby Thomas (.263/.357/.515; 4.6 WAR) placed third in the balloting.

   Player                  Team      	     1st Place     Total Pts

Natanael Santana   Inland Empire 66ers		 5 	      97 
Jake Vogel 	   Rancho Cucamonga Quakes	 3 	      85
Colby Thomas       Stockton Ports 		 0	      66
Caleb Hobson       Fresno Grizzlies 		 0	      43
Josue De Paula     Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 	 0 	      33
Kelvin Hidalgo     Fresno Grizzlies 		 0 	      32
Yunior Garcia      Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 	 0	      23
Jean Perez         Fresno Grizzlies 		 0	      23
Wilman Diaz        Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 	 0	      18
Andy Perez         Fresno Grizzlies 		 0	      18
Ryan Lasko         Stockton Ports 		 0	      16
Angel Diaz         Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 	 0	      11
Junior Franco      Visalia Rawhide 		 0 	       7

[OmahaBaseball]

Van Treeck Unanimous Choice for MWL Outstanding Pitcher

Dayton right-hander Logan Van Treeck capped a commanding 2024 campaign by being named the Midwest League Outstanding Pitcher Award winner, earning every available first-place vote in a unanimous selection. The Dragons’ ace was a model of consistency and dominance, compiling an 11–3 record with a 2.67 ERA across 18 starts.

Van Treeck logged 111.1 innings, striking out 118 while issuing just 30 walks, and held opposing hitters to a mere .209 batting average. His blend of precision and power made him the league’s clear top arm from wire to wire. Teammate Hunter Hollan finished second in the voting, giving Dayton a sweep of the top two spots, while Richard Gallardo of South Bend placed third.

   Player                 Team      	       1st Place     Total Pts

Logan Van Treeck     Dayton Dragons 		   12 		84
Hunter Hollan	     Dayton Dragons 		    0		47
Richard Gallardo     South Bend Cubs 		    0 		20 
Zebby Matthews	     Cedar Rapids Kernels 	    0 		20 
Jacob Misiorowski    Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 	    0 		12 
Wilmer Flores	     West Michigan Whitecaps 	    0 		10 
Angel Macuare	     Beloit Sky Carp 		    0 	 	 4 
Ryan Jensen	     Cedar Rapids Kernels 	    0	 	 3 
Adam Mazur	     Fort Wayne TinCaps 	    0	 	 3 
Cam Brown	     West Michigan Whitecaps 	    0	 	 1

[OmahaBaseball]

Ledbetter Named South Atlantic League MVP After Historic Season

Bowling Green Hot Rods manager says 22-year-old left fielder Colton Ledbetter is “only going to get better as he gets older.” After the season he just delivered, that’s a statement that should grab the attention of the entire South Atlantic League.

Ledbetter has been named the 2024 South Atlantic League Most Valuable Player, capping a dominant campaign that showcased one of the most complete offensive performances in recent league history. The Hot Rods star posted a .377 batting average and a .459 on-base percentage, piling up 159 hits across 101 games. His season included 26 doubles, 3 triples, and an eye-catching 36 home runs, along with 100 RBI and 104 runs scored.

The MVP voting reflected his overwhelming impact: Ledbetter earned 9 of 12 first-place votes and finished with 153 total points. Teammate Dominic Keegan placed second with the remaining three first-place votes, while Eddinson Paulino of the Greenville Drive finished third. Bowling Green players dominated the ballot overall, with five Hot Rods finishing inside the top eight.

    Player                   Team      	       1st Place     Total Pts

Colton Ledbetter     Bowling Green Hot Rods	   9 		153
Dominic Keegan 	     Bowling Green Hot Rods 	   3 		123
Eddinson Paulino     Greenville Drive 	           0 		 94
Tres Gonzalez 	     Greensboro Grasshoppers   	   0 		 76
Cooper Kinney  	     Bowling Green Hot Rods        0 		 76
Brayden Taylor       Bowling Green Hot Rods 	   0 		 56
Jase Bowen 	     Greensboro Grasshoppers       0  		 51
Hunter Haas  	     Bowling Green Hot Rods        0  		 24
Andrew Painter       Jersey Shore BlueClaws        0  		 21
Alexeis Azuaje       Jersey Shore BlueClaws        0  		 14
Alex Binelas 	     Greenville Drive 		   0  		  7
Max Ferguson 	     Greenville Drive 		   0  		  6
Jauri Custodio 	     Greensboro Grasshoppers 	   0  		  2
Trace Bright 	     Aberdeen Ironbirds            0  		  1
Mitch Jebb 	     Greensboro Grasshoppers       0  		  1
Leandro Pineda 	     Jersey Shore BlueClaws        0  		  1
Connor Scott 	     Greensboro Grasshoppers       0  		  1
Christopher Troye    Greenville Drive   	   0  		  1

[OmahaBaseball]

Logan Allen Claims International League Outstanding Pitcher Award

Logan Allen’s dominant 2024 campaign has earned him the International League’s Outstanding Pitcher Award, receiving every first-place vote in a landslide finish. The Columbus Clippers ace capped a stellar season by leading all pitchers in the voting, collecting all 20 first-place ballots and finishing with 140 points.

Allen was a model of consistency for Columbus, posting an 8–8 record across 22 starts while showcasing elite command and swing-and-miss stuff. Over 173 innings, he allowed 143 hits, struck out an impressive 196 batters, and carried a 3.75 ERA; 3.6 WAR. Opponents hit just .225 against him, underscoring his role as one of the league’s most difficult arms to solve.

Jaime Barria, also of the Clippers, finished second in the voting with 56 points, while Durham’s Tyler Alexander took third with 43. With his unanimous selection, Allen solidifies his status as one of the International League’s premier pitchers and a cornerstone of the Clippers’ 2024 success.

[OmahaBaseball]

Pacific Coast League Glove Wizard Award Winners Shine with Elite Defense

A great defense can often be the difference between winning and losing, and this year’s Pacific Coast League Glove Wizard Award recipients proved that every inning counts. Throughout the 2024 season, these standout defenders delivered consistency, athleticism, and highlight-reel plays that anchored their clubs.

Leading the group on the mound was Michael Grove (29 TC / 1.000%) of the Oklahoma City Dodgers, whose command of the game extended well beyond pitching. Behind the plate, Seby Zavala (995 TC / .997%) of the Tacoma Rainiers earned top honors at catcher, showcasing his strong arm and reliable receiving skills.

Tacoma featured prominently on the infield as well. Tyler Locklear (1153 TC / .996%) claimed the award at first base, while Leonardo Rivas (234 TC / .979%) secured the third-base honor. Tyler Wade (473 TC / .985%) of the El Paso Chihuahuas stood out at second base, combining range with sure-handed consistency. At shortstop, Blaze Alexander (608 TC / .987%) of the Reno Aces captured the award thanks to his dynamic playmaking ability.

In the outfield, defensive excellence continued. Trenton Brooks (168 TC / .982%) of the Sacramento River Cats took home the left-field award with steady glove work, while the Salt Lake Bees produced two winners: Jake Marisnick (314 TC / .984%) in center field and Jo Adell (184 TC / .989%) in right field, both known for their speed and sharp instincts.

[OmahaBaseball]

Vellojin Claims Midwest League MVP After Record-Breaking Season

Dayton Dragons manager praised catcher Daniel Vellojin as a rising star with even greater potential ahead—but after his remarkable 2024 season, topping his latest achievement may prove challenging. The 24-year-old has been named the Midwest League Most Valuable Player, earning the honor with a dominant all-around performance.

Vellojin posted a .260 batting average and a .376 on-base percentage, appearing in 110 games and collecting 104 hits, including 17 doubles and 5 triples. His 34 home runs, 90 RBI, and 82 runs scored anchored Dayton’s offense and set him apart as the league’s top performer.

The MVP voting reflected his impact: Vellojin secured 9 of 12 first-place votes and finished with 153 total points, well ahead of teammate Bubba Thompson, who placed second with 110 points and 2 first-place votes. Chase DeLauter of the Lake County Captains finished third with one first-place vote and 109 points.

    Player                 Team      	        1st Place   Total Pts

Daniel Vellojin	      Dayton Dragons		   9	      153
Bubba Thompson 	      Dayton Dragons 		   2 	      110
Chase DeLauter 	      Lake County Captains 	   1	      109
Johnathan Rodriguez   Lake County Captains 	   0 	       68
Sal Stewart 	      Dayton Dragons 		   0 	       68
Jared Dickey 	      Quad Cities River Bandits    0  	       53
Chris Newell 	      Great Lakes Loons 	   0  	       41
Logan Van Treeck      Dayton Dragons 		   0  	       21
Jose Ramos 	      Great Lakes Loons 	   0           20
Dylan Campbell 	      Great Lakes Loons 	   0  	       19
Kemp Alderman 	      Beloit Sky Carp 		   0  	       14
Carlos Jorge 	      Dayton Dragons 		   0  	       13
Hunter Hollan 	      Dayton Dragons 		   0   		6
Richard Gallardo      South Bend Cubs 		   0   		4
Mike Boeve 	      Wisconsin Timber Rattlers    0		3
Zebby Matthews 	      Cedar Rapids Kernels 	   0		3
Hao-Yu Lee 	      West Michigan Whitecaps 	   0   		2
Casey Yamauchi 	      Lansing Lugnuts 		   0    	1

[OmahaBaseball]

Bello Shuts Down Rays as Red Sox Roll to 5–1 Win

Boston, MA — The Boston Red Sox rode a dominant performance from right-hander Brayan Bello to a 5–1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. This was a critical win for the home team, as it further strengthened their Wild Card spot with just 2 games remaining in the regular season.

Bello (16-13) was in complete control all night, tossing a four-hit complete game on 105 pitches in which he recorded eight strikeouts and just one walk in what amounted to one of his finest starts of the season; Game Score 81. Boston’s offense supported him early. Tyler O’Neill opened the scoring with a solo homer in the third inning and later added a two-run double, finishing with three RBI. Ceddanne Rafaela also went deep, while Jarren Duran contributed a pair of hits and an RBI.

Tampa Bay struggled to solve Bello, managing their lone run on a seventh-inning RBI double from Ben Rortvedt. Rays starter Taj Bradley labored through seven innings, giving up 12 hits and all five Boston runs; Game Score 39. The win pushed Boston to 87–73 on the season, while the Rays dropped to 85–75, extending their losing streak to four games.

Player of the Game: Brayan Bello (Season: #7)

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