Midwest League
Most Valuable Player Award
SportBaseball
LeagueMidwest League
Awarded forRegular-season most valuable player of the Midwest League
CountryUnited States
Presented byMidwest League
History
First awardDeacon Jones (1956)
Most recentKala'i Rosario (2023)

The Midwest League Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) is an annual award given to the best 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.[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]

Twenty-four outfielders have won the MVP Award, the most of any position. First basemen, with 11 winners, have won the most among infielders, followed by third basemen (7), shortstops (4), and second basemen (2). Five catchers and three pitchers have also won the award.

Twenty-four players who have won the MVP Award also won the Midwest League Top MLB Prospect Award (formerly the Prospect of the Year 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] From 1956 to 2020, pitchers were eligible to win the MVP Award as no award was designated for pitchers. In 2021, the Midwest League established a Pitcher of the Year Award.[2]

Nine players from the Cedar Rapids Kernels have been selected for the MVP Award, more than any other team in the league, followed by the Beloit Sky Carp, Burlington Bees, Kane County Cougars, Lansing Lugnuts, and Waterloo Indians (4); the Dubuque Packers, Great Lakes Loons, Peoria Chiefs, Springfield Cardinals, and West Michigan Whitecaps (3); the South Bend Cubs (2); and the Clinton Giants, Decatur Commodores, Fort Wayne TinCaps, Kenosha Twins, Kokomo Dodgers, Madison Muskies, Michigan Battle Cats, Midwest Dodgers, Rockford Royals, and Wausau Timbers (1).

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

Winners

A man in a light baseball jersey and dark cap
Deacon Jones won the first Midwest League Most Valuable Player Award in 1956.
A man in a light baseball jersey and dark cap
Willie Wilson, the 1975 MVP, was selected for the 1982 and 1983 MLB All-Star Games.[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 gray baseball uniform and navy blue batting helmet
Albert Pujols, the 2000 MVP, won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2001 and the NL MVP Award in 2005, 2008, and 2009.[10]
A man in a navy baseball jersey and batting helmet with gray pants
Prince Fielder, the 2000 winner, became a six-time MLB All-Star.[11]
A man in a red baseball jersey and batting helmet with gray pants
Mike Trout, the 2010 MVP, won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2012 and the AL MVP Award in 2014, 2016, and 2019.[12]
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 Deacon Jones Dubuque Packers Chicago White Sox Second baseman [13]
1957 None selected [4]
1958 Gus Sancimino Kokomo Dodgers Los Angeles Dodgers Outfielder [14]
1959 Joel McDaniel Decatur Commodores Detroit Tigers Pitcher [15]
1960 Thomas Haake Dubuque Packers Pittsburgh Pirates Pitcher [16]
1961 Hector Cardenas Dubuque Packers Cleveland Indians Outfielder [17]
1962 Tony Torchia Midwest Dodgers Los Angeles Dodgers First baseman [18]
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 [19]
1976 Wayne Cato Cedar Rapids Giants San Francisco Giants Catcher [20]
1977 Paul Molitor Burlington Bees Milwaukee Brewers Shortstop [21]
1978 Bill Foley Burlington Bees Milwaukee Brewers Catcher [22]
1979 Dave Stockstill Wausau Timbers Chicago Cubs Outfielder [23]
1980 Von Hayes Waterloo Indians Cleveland Indians Third baseman [24]
1981 Ed Saavedra Waterloo Indians Cleveland Indians Outfielder [25]
1982 Tom Romano Madison Muskies Oakland Athletics Outfielder [26]
1983 Curt Ford Springfield Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals Outfielder [27]
1984 Joey Meyer Beloit Brewers Milwaukee Brewers First baseman [28]
1985 Eddie Williams Cedar Rapids Reds Cincinnati Reds Third baseman [29]
1986 Luis Medina Waterloo Indians Cleveland Indians Outfielder [30]
1987^ Greg Vaughn Beloit Brewers Milwaukee Brewers Outfielder [31]
Todd Zeile Springfield Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals Catcher [32]
1988 Lenny Webster Kenosha Twins Minnesota Twins Catcher [33]
1989 Tom Redington Burlington Braves Atlanta Braves Third baseman [34]
1990 Reggie Sanders Cedar Rapids Reds Cincinnati Reds Outfielder [35]
1991 Salomón Torres Clinton Giants San Francisco Giants Pitcher [36]
1992 Steve Gibralter Cedar Rapids Reds Cincinnati Reds Outfielder [37]
1993 Joe Biasucci Springfield Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals Second baseman [38]
1994 Sal Fasano Rockford Royals Kansas City Royals Catcher [39]
1995 Jesus Ibarra Burlington Bees San Francisco Giants First baseman [40]
1996 Larry Barnes Cedar Rapids Kernels California Angels First baseman [41]
1997 Robert Fick West Michigan Whitecaps Detroit Tigers First baseman [42]
1998 Pablo Ozuna Peoria Chiefs St. Louis Cardinals Shortstop [43]
1999 Aaron McNeal Michigan Battle Cats Houston Astros First baseman [44]
2000 Albert Pujols Peoria Chiefs St. Louis Cardinals Third baseman [45]
2001 Adrián González Kane County Cougars Florida Marlins First baseman [46]
2002 Jason Stokes Kane County Cougars Florida Marlins First baseman [47]
2003 Prince Fielder Beloit Snappers Milwaukee Brewers First baseman [48]
2004 Brian Dopirak Lansing Lugnuts Chicago Cubs First baseman [49]
2005 Carlos González South Bend Silver Hawks Arizona Diamondbacks Outfielder [50]
2006 Jeff Baisley Kane County Cougars Oakland Athletics Third baseman [51]
2007 Gorkys Hernández West Michigan Whitecaps Detroit Tigers Outfielder [52]
2008 Ben Revere Beloit Snappers Minnesota Twins Outfielder [53]
2009^ Dee Strange-Gordon Great Lakes Loons Los Angeles Dodgers Shortstop [54]
Kyle Russell Great Lakes Loons Los Angeles Dodgers Outfielder [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 Kevin Pillar Lansing Lugnuts Toronto Blue Jays Outfielder [58]
2013 Byron Buxton Cedar Rapids Kernels Minnesota Twins Outfielder [59]
2014 Wynton Bernard West Michigan Whitecaps Detroit Tigers Outfielder [60]
2015 Ryan McBroom Lansing Lugnuts Toronto Blue Jays First baseman [61]
2016 Eloy Jiménez South Bend Cubs Chicago Cubs Outfielder [62]
2017 Bo Bichette Lansing Lugnuts Toronto Blue Jays Shortstop [63]
2018 Elehuris Montero Peoria Chiefs St. Louis Cardinals Third baseman [64]
2019 Alek Thomas Kane County Cougars Arizona Diamondbacks Outfielder [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 Christian Encarnacion-Strand Cedar Rapids Kernels Minnesota Twins Third baseman [68][69]
2023 Kala'i Rosario Cedar Rapids Kernels Minnesota Twins Outfielder [70][71]

Wins by team

Active Midwest League teams appear in bold.

Team Award(s) Year(s)
Cedar Rapids Kernels (Cedar Rapids Giants/Reds) 9 1976, 1985, 1990, 1992, 1996, 2010, 2013, 2022, 2023
Beloit Sky Carp (Beloit Brewers/Snappers) 4 1984, 1987, 2003, 2008
Burlington Bees (Burlington Braves) 1977, 1978, 1989, 1995
Kane County Cougars 2001, 2002, 2006, 2019
Lansing Lugnuts 2004, 2012, 2015, 2017
Waterloo Indians (Waterloo Royals) 1975, 1980, 1981, 1986
Dubuque Packers 3 1956, 1960, 1961
Great Lakes Loons 2009,[lower-alpha 1] 2021
Peoria Chiefs 1998, 2000, 2018
Springfield Cardinals 1983, 1987, 1993
West Michigan Whitecaps 1997, 2007, 2014
South Bend Cubs (South Bend Silver Hawks) 2 2005, 2016
Clinton Giants 1 1991
Decatur Commodores 1959
Fort Wayne TinCaps 2011
Kenosha Twins 1988
Kokomo Dodgers 1958
Madison Muskies 1982
Michigan Battle Cats 1999
Midwest Dodgers 1962
Rockford Royals 1994
Wausau Timbers 1979

Wins by organization

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

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

Notes

  1. ↑ Two players from Great Lakes were selected as MVPs in 2009.
  2. ↑ Two players from the Los Angeles organization were selected as MVPs in 2009.

References

Specific

  1. ↑ Resnick, Jacob (November 9, 2022). "High-A Award Winners and All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "Midwest League Award Winners". Midwest League. Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on January 26, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  5. 1 2 "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. ↑ "Willie Wilson 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. ↑ "Albert Pujols Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Mike Trout Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Mike Trout Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Deacon Jones Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Gus Sancimino Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Joel McDaniel Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Thomas Haake Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Hector Cardenas Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Tony Torchia Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Willie Wilson Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Wayne Cato Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Paul Molitor Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Bill Foley Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Dave Stockstill Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Von Hayes Minor, Independent & Mexican Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Ed Saavedra Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Tom Romano Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Curt Ford Minor, Mexican & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Joey Meyer Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Eddie Williams Minor, Japanese, Mexican, Korean & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  30. ↑ "Luis Medina Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Greg Vaughn Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  32. ↑ "Todd Zeile Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  33. ↑ "Lenny Webster Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  34. ↑ "Tom Redington Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Reggie Sanders Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  36. ↑ "Salomon Torres Minor & Korean Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  37. ↑ "Steve Gibralter Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  38. ↑ "Joe Biasucci Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  39. ↑ "Sal Fasano Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  40. ↑ "Jesse Ibarra Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  41. ↑ "Larry Barnes Minor, Japanese & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  42. ↑ "Robert Fick Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  43. ↑ "Pablo Ozuna Minor, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  44. ↑ "Aaron McNeal Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  45. ↑ "Albert Pujols Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  46. ↑ "Adrián González Minor, Fall, Winter & Mexican Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  47. ↑ "Jason Stokes Minor, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  48. ↑ "Prince Fielder Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  49. ↑ "Brian Dopirak Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  50. ↑ "Carlos González Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  51. ↑ "Jeff Baisley Minor, Fall, Winter, Mexican & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  52. ↑ "Gorkys Hernández Winter, Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  53. ↑ "Ben Revere Minor, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  54. ↑ "Dee Strange-Gordon Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  55. ↑ "Kyle Russell Minor, Fall & Independent 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. ↑ "Kevin Pillar Minor, Fall & 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. ↑ "Wynton Bernard College, Minor, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  61. ↑ "Ryan McBroom College, Amateur, Minor, Fall, Winter & Japanese 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. ↑ "Elehuris Montero Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  65. ↑ "Alek Thomas Minor 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. ↑ "Christian Encarnacion-Strand College & Minor 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. ↑ "Kala'i Rosario Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 20, 2023.

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