MiLB's Low-A award winners and All-Stars

While Rookie ball provides a chance for many Minor Leaguers to get their feet wet in professional baseball, Low-A typically represents the first major step on the path to the Majors.

Minor League Baseball announced the end-of-season award winners and All-Star teams for the three Low-A leagues on Friday after tallying votes from league broadcasters, MiLB executives and select members of the media.

• Complete MiLB end-of-season award winners and All-Stars

Below, you’ll find the major award winners from each circuit. The list is replete with promising prospects, including three from MLB’s overall Top 100.

LOW-A EAST

Most Valuable Player: Diego Infante, Charleston (TB)
Part of a deep Rays system, Infante opened eyes for Charleston in 2021, posting a .296/.393/.507 slash line with 16 homers, 80 RBIs and 20 steals in 101 games. The 21-year-old outfielder ended the regular season on a 24-game hitting streak, including his final nine at High-A.

Pitcher of the Year: Joey Estes, Augusta (ATL)
Estes’ first full Minor League season was a smashing success in 2021, as the right-hander recorded a 2.91 ERA, 127 strikeouts and 29 walks across 99 innings. The 2019 16th-round Draft pick is currently Atlanta’s No. 14 prospect, but he could continue to climb the list.

Top MLB Prospect: Jhonkensy Noel, Lynchburg (CLE)
Noel spent only 38 games in Low-A this past season, but he clearly made his presence felt. The 20-year-old corner infielder (Cleveland’s No. 25 prospect) showcased his prodigious power with regularity as he hit .393 with 11 dingers and a 1.119 OPS in 162 plate appearances for Lynchburg.

LOW-A SOUTHEAST

Most Valuable Player: Endy Rodriguez, Bradenton (PIT)
Acquired from the Mets in the three-team deal that sent Joe Musgrove to the Padres and Joey Lucchesi to Queens, Rodriguez impressed in his first season in Pittsburgh’s system, registering a .294/.380/.512 slash line with 15 homers and 73 RBIs in 98 games. The athletic switch-hitter (Pittsburgh’s No. 19 prospect) saw time behind the plate as well as at first base and in the outfield for Bradenton.

Pitcher of the Year: Adrian Florencio, Bradenton (PIT)
The Pirates’ farm system also produced Low-A Southeast’s top pitcher in Florencio, who racked up 117 strikeouts and walked only 30 batters while posting a 2.46 ERA in 95 innings. The 6-foot-6 righty solidified his award-worthiness down the stretch, allowing seven earned runs and fanning 45 hitters in his final 33 2/3 innings (1.87 ERA).

Top MLB Prospect: Eury Perez, Jupiter (MIA)
Standing 6-foot-8 and 200 pounds -- four inches taller and 45 pounds heavier than when he turned pro two years ago -- the 18-year-old Perez (the Marlins’ No. 6 prospect) was a standout on the mound for Jupiter in 2021, striking out more than 13 batters per nine innings (82 K’s in 56 IP) and registering a 1.61 ERA before advancing to High-A for his final five appearances of the year.

LOW-A WEST

Most Valuable Player: Luis Matos, San Jose (SF)
Part of a Giants international signing class that also included Marco Luciano (MLB’s No. 5 prospect) in 2018, Matos (MLB’s No. 77 prospect) was excellent in his first full professional season. The 19-year-old outfielder recorded a .313/.358/.494 slash line, 15 homers, 86 RBIs and 21 steals across 109 games for San Jose.

Pitcher of the Year: Kyle Harrison, San Jose (SF)
The Giants gave Harrison (MLB’s No. 99 prospect) a $2,497,500 signing bonus, the equivalent of late-first round money, after selecting him in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft. The left-hander lived up to expectations in his first pro season, flashing 98-mph heat with a strong slider while recording a 3.19 ERA with 157 strikeouts in 98 2/3 innings.

Top MLB Prospect: Zac Veen, Fresno (COL)
The ninth-overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft was as advertised in his first taste of pro ball, hitting .301 with 15 homers, 75 RBIs, 36 steals and a .900 OPS over 106 games. The 19-year-old Veen (MLB’s No. 50 prospect) received plus grades nearly across the board from MLB Pipeline.