The Red Sox will host the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, bringing an end to another bitterly disappointing campaign in Boston.
Portland, Maine had some pretty great moments, though. Worcester, Mass. became the final stop for a group of future stars. Salem, Va., Greenville, S.C. and Fort Myers, Fla. all chipped in to showcase that it wasn't all bad for the organization as a whole. Boston has plenty of tough decisions to make this upcoming offseason, but for now, there's hope that certain prospects can help turn things around.
The Red Sox recognized a group of those prospects Thursday, announcing the winners of the organization's 2024 Minor League Awards:
Offensive Player of the Year: infielder/outfielder Kristian Campbell (No. 3 prospect via Sox Prospects)
Defensive Player of the Year: outfielder Nelly Taylor (No. 38)
Starting Pitcher of the Year: right-handed pitcher Hunter Dobbins (No. 18)
Relief Pitcher of the Year: right-handed pitcher Chase Shugart (N/R)
Baserunner of the Year: infielder Franklin Arias (No. 7)
Latin Program Position Player of the Year: first baseman/outfielder Justin Gonzales (No. 32)
Latin Program Pitcher of the Year: right-handed pitcher Yermain Ruiz (N/R)
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Cam Booser was recognized as the 2024 recipient of the Lou Gorman Award, which was created in 2011 and is given annually to a Red Sox minor league player who "demonstrated dedication and perseverance in overcoming obstacles" while working toward MLB.
Campbell is the most high-profile name on the list, having been named Baseball America's 2024 Minor League Player of the Year and The Athletic's 2024 Prospect of the Year. The 22-year-old slashed .330/.439/.558 in his first full professional season, belting 32 doubles, three triples and 20 home runs in 115 games with High-A Greenville, Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester.
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