The minor league season is over, and the Boston Red Sox are recognizing their prospects. On Thursday, they announced the winners of six minor league organizational awards.
Payton Tolle was named pitcher of the year. He began the year in High-A Greenville and rapidly ascended to the major leagues. He’s currently pitching out of the Red Sox bullpen, but his future is as a starting pitcher. In 91 1/3 minor league innings, he registered a 3.04 ERA and struck out 36.5% of the hitters he faced.
Jhostynxon Garcia was named offensive player of the year. Garcia also debuted, but his major league tenure was much shorter than Tolle’s. The outfielder spent most of the year at Triple-A Worcester, where he hit .271 with 18 home runs.
The base runner of the year was awarded to Miguel Bleis. He stole 27 bases between Greenville and Double-A Portland. Bleis was once a highly touted prospect, but injuries slowed his development.
Ahbram Liendo won the minor league defensive player of the year. His bat didn’t jump off the page, but Liendo played solid defense at shortstop, second and third base. He also played one game in the outfield.
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Latin Program Position Player and Pitcher of the Year went to Josue Brito and Angelo Ladera, respectively. Brito hit .284 with nine home runs in 43 games in the Dominican Summer League. The Venezuela native played all over the field, but primarily played at first bHase. Ladera registered a 2.20 in 32 2/3 innings pitched. He struck 36 and walked 15.
The award recipients will be honored before the Red Sox’s game with the Detroit Tigers on Friday at Fenway Park.
Featured image via Dennis Lee/Imagn Images
