The Minor League season is winding down. The four full-season levels will start moving into playoffs in a couple of weeks, and the DSL Cup Championship between Reds and Padres affiliates will be decided in the next day or two -- marking the official end of the Rookie-level seasons.
With that in mind, let's review the players who made a loud introduction at the first ring of the Minor League ladder. Here are the All-Stars and award winners across Rookie ball in 2026:
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In the Arizona Complex League, a Rockies outfielder claimed MVP honors for the second straight year, this time it was Cristian Arguelles. Reds southpaw Iker Redona took home hardware again as the ACL Pitcher of the Year after earning DSL All-Star honors in his debut season in 2025. And San Francisco's Josuar Gonzalez claimed Top MLB Prospect honors.
Jumping to the Florida Complex League, Yankees prospect Wilberson De Pena earned a pair of awards after being named MVP and the circuit's Top MLB Prospect, while Adrian Ardines (Astros) spun his way to Pitcher of the Year.
Finally, the Dominican Summer League Pitcher of the Year, Reds right-hander Ysaias Escalona, is expected to throw in the aforementioned DSL Cup Final; and Phillies outfielder Francisco Renteria put an exclamation point on his impressive debut pro season after claiming the campaign's MVP and Top MLB Prospect honors.
Here's a closer look at the major award winners as well as the full All-Star teams for each Rookie-level league:
Arizona Complex League
Most Valuable Player: Cristian Arguelles, ACL Rockies (COL)
For the second consecutive season, Arguelles has been crowned MVP of a Rookie-level circuit. Stateside for the first time, the 19-year-old took home the ACL batting title, slashing .402/.478/.671 in 57 contests. It marked the second full season in which the Rockies' No. 5 prospect posted a batting average north of .400 and registered the highest average since the ACL records began. Staying on theme, Arguelles -- who excels at poking line drives to all fields -- also led the field with 88 hits and 70 RBIs. He was promoted to Single-A Fresno at season's end.
Pitcher of the Year: Iker Redona, ACL Reds (CIN)
After earning DSL All-Star honors in his debut season in 2025, Redona was sent to the ACL for his sophomore campaign. The 5-foot-11 southpaw accumulated a 2.68 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP over 47 innings before earning a promotion to Single-A and becoming one of the youngest pitchers in the Florida State League at 18 years old. During his time in the ACL, Redona stacked up strikeouts. He posted six starts with seven or more punchouts, highlighted by an 11-K gem over four innings on July 14. All told, Redona tallied 64 strikeouts and notched a 12.3 K/9 -- sixth-best on the circuit.
Top MLB Prospect: Josuar Gonzalez, ACL Giants (SF)
The 18-year-old infielder opened the year in the Arizona Complex League but earned a promotion in late July after slashing .343/.451/.515 with 11 extra-base hits, 29 runs scored, 24 RBIs and eight stolen bases over 30 games in the ACL. Gonzalez didn't show any signs of slowing down after the promotion either, as the top-ranked Giants prospect posted an OPS over 1.000 and a 151 wRC+ over 52 games through Tuesday.
All-Star Team
1B: Ronny Ugarte, ACL Rockies (COL)
2B: Daniel Mielcarek, ACL Dodgers (LAD)
SS: Seong-Jun Kim, ACL Rangers (TEX No. 8)
3B: Juan Martinez, ACL Brewers (now COL No. 26)
C: Reiner Herrera, ACL Guardians (CLE)
OF: Cristian Arguelles, ACL Rockies (COL No. 5)
OF: Alessander De La Cruz, ACL Rockies (COL)
OF: Jay McQueen, ACL Rangers (TEX)
DH: Jirvin Morillo, ACL Reds (CIN No. 9)
UTIL: Eriel Dihigo, ACL Rockies (COL)
SP: Iker Redona, ACL Reds (CIN)
SP: Alejandro Rivera, ACL Guardians (now CIN)
SP: Johnny Slawinski, ACL Angels (LAA No. 5)
SP: Ryjeteri Merite, ACL Reds (CIN)
RP: Wilmis Paulino, ACL Rockies (COL)
RP: Zack Qin, ACL Padres (SD)
Manager: Freddie Ocasio, ACL Rockies (COL)
Florida Complex League
Most Valuable Player/Top MLB Prospect: Wilberson De Pena, FCL Yankees (NYY)
Acquired prior to the 2025 Trade Deadline in an under-the-radar trade that sent Oswald Peraza to the Angels, De Pena broke out in a big way in 2026. In his first season stateside, the 19-year-old -- who has an aggressive right-handed stroke and plus raw pop -- took home the FCL triple crown. His .358 average, .677 slugging percentage and 1.088 OPS were all tops in the FCL, as were his 81 hits, 38 extra-base hits, 153 total bases and 67 RBIs. The Yankees’ No. 14 prospect was the first player to hit 16 homers in a single FCL/Gulf Coast League season since at least 2005. He was promoted to Single-A Tampa after the season and homered twice in his first three contests.
Pitcher of the Year: Adrian Ardines, FCL Astros (HOU)
The 19-year-old right-hander was one of the most consistent arms in the FCL in 2026. Across 12 outings (eight starts), Ardines posted a 3.42 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings. The Panama native showcased wipeout stuff over the season, but he really shined when it came to limiting baserunners. His 1.08 WHIP was tops in the league, while his 4.00 K/BB comfortably cleared the next best ratio (2.45). At season's end, Ardines was sent to Single-A Fayetteville, where he has notched 18 punchouts in 11 2/3 innings.
All-Star Team
1B: Luis DeLeon, FCL Astros (HOU No. 25)
2B: Jemone Nuel, FCL Orioles (BAL)
SS: Miguel Hernández, FCL Cardinals (STL No. 25)
3B: Hyun Seung Lee, FCL Pirates (now MIA)
C: Yovanny Rodriguez, FCL Mets (NYM No. 26)
OF: Wilberson De Pena, FCL Yankees (NYY No. 14)
OF: Jose Castro, FCL Yankees (NYY)
OF: Yovanny Duran, FCL Twins (MIN No. 28)
DH: Cristian Perez, FCL Tigers (DET)
UTIL: Kleiver Chauran, FCL Rays (TB)
SP: Adrian Ardines, FCL Astros (HOU)
SP: Angel Rivero, FCL Blue Jays (now LAA)
SP: Jeremy Pilon, FCL Rays (TB)
SP: Juan Reyes, FCL Nationals (WSH)
RP: Austin Breedlove, FCL Yankees (NYY)
RP: Jonas Uzcategui, FCL Marlins (MIA)
Manager: Sean Smedley, FCL Rays (TB)
Dominican Summer League
Most Valuable Player/Top MLB Prospect: Francisco Renteria, DSL Phillies (PHI)
One of three 2026 international signees ranked on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list at No. 81, Renteria lived up to that billing in his first pro campaign. Signed for $4 million by the Phillies, the Venezuela native has true five-tool potential with a powerful 6-foot-3 frame and plus speed that will give him a chance to stick in center field long term. In the DSL this season, the Phillies' No. 3 prospect was one of four players with 10+ homers and 20+ stolen bases. His .379/.470/.682 slash line was one of the best in the league, while his whopping nine triples -- a sign of his dynamic combination of speed, power and hitting ability -- led all hitters.
Pitcher of the Year: Ysaias Escalona, DSL Reds (CIN)
Among all Minor Leaguers who have thrown 60+ innings, Escalona ranks second with a 0.99 ERA through 63 1/3 frames. The 2025 international signee was extremely stingy when it came to runs allowed in 2026. He opened his sophomore campaign with 20 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings and finished the season with 10 shutout appearances. Escalona never gave up more than three runs in a start (and three runs only once), while striking out 59 batters. The 19-year-old from Venezuela delivered a perfect 10-0 record across 14 outings (11 starts), the best in the DSL.
All-Star Team
1B: Dayquer Alfonzo, DSL Padres Gold (SD)
2B: Juan Torres, DSL NYY Yankees (NYY)
SS: Jaider Suárez, DSL Royals Fortuna (KC No. 18)
3B: Leanders Matos, DSL Brewers Gold (MIL)
C: Juan Martinez, DSL NYY Yankees (NYY)
OF: Francisco Renteria, DSL Phillies (PHI No. 3/MLB No. 81)
OF: Isaias Castillo, DSL NYY Yankees (NYY)
OF: Angeibel Gomez, DSL Royals Ventura (KC No. 3/MLB No. 84)
DH: Franco Willias, DSL Giants Black (SF)
UTIL: Cesar Mateo, DSL Rangers Blue (TEX)
SP: Ysaias Escalona, DSL Reds (CIN)
SP: Jeyver Manaure, DSL Arizona Red (AZ)
SP: Fredy Penuelas, DSL NYY Yankees (NYY)
SP: Abner Meza, DSL Mets Orange (NYM)
RP: Luis Avila, DSL Reds (CIN)
RP: Alvin De Leon, DSL Cubs Blue (CHC)
Manager: Sergio De Luna, DSL Royals Ventura (KC)