INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Indians today announced that outfielder Ronny Simon has been named the team’s 2026 Most Valuable Player after ranking among the top hitters across the International League in batting average (1st, .334), hits (1st, 141), doubles (2nd, 33), on-base percentage (2nd, .426), OPS, (6th, .898), stolen bases (T-8th, 35) and total bases (10th, 199). Right-handed pitcher Beau Burrows, utilityman Mike Jarvis, infielder Enmanuel Valdez and left-handed pitcher Connor Wietgrefe were also recognized as award winners.
MVP – Ronny Simon
Simon, 26, was a core member of the Indians roster as he leads the team in batting average, games played (115), hits, doubles, on-base percentage, stolen bases and ranks second in RBI (72). His average, hits and stolen bases are career bests, with his .898 OPS being his highest mark since his 2019 season with the Dominican Summer League Cubs 2. His 72 RBI total is his second best, trailing 76 in 2022.
The switch hitter’s season began on a high note, being named Indians April Player of the Month on May 5 after he ranked among qualified International League hitters in batting average (1st, .388), hits (2nd, 33), OPS (2nd, 1.047), slugging percentage (3rd, .600), total bases (T-4th, 51), RBI (5th, 21) and on-base percentage (5th, .447) across 22 games. He posted the seventh-best single-month batting average by an Indians player since at least 2005 (min. 20 games).
Simon posted an eight-game stolen base streak from July 19-28, which is tied for the longest such run in professional baseball this season and longest by an Indians player since at least 2005. He owns a team-best 24-game on-base streak from June 6-July 4 in which the outfielder hit .322 (29-for-90), six doubles, one triple, one home run and an .889 OPS. Many of the offensive outbursts came in clusters, as Simon is leading the team in three-hit games (10) and multi-hit performances (31).
Simon has been one of Indy’s top performers in the last 20 seasons, ranking first among Indians batters since at least 2005 in average (.318), on-base percentage (.411) and OPS (.871).
Pitcher of the Year – Beau Burrows
Burrows, 29, became the club’s closer, consistently shining out of the bullpen. The right-hander’s 14 saves on the campaign lead the International League, are the most in a single season by an Indians pitcher since Blake Wood led Triple-A with 29 saves in 2015, and he is the club's first member with double-digit saves since 2022 (Eric Hanhold, 10).
Burrows’ season was highlighted by a dominant 16-game stretch from July 10-Aug. 26 with a 0.87 ERA (2er/20.2ip) and 23 strikeouts. In this span he converted all nine of his save opportunities with 14 of those outings being scoreless.
Heart and Hustle Award – Mike Jarvis
Jarvis, 28, appeared with the Indians for his third straight season and fourth overall, spending most of the campaign with the club. His time was limited to just 38 games this season with an injured list stint that spanned most of July and August.
Jarvis is known for his tireless work ethic, leadership in the clubhouse, commitment to the Indians organization through community events and will go out of his way to make lasting memories for fans at the ballpark.
The utilityman has appeared at second base, third base, shortstop, all three outfield positions and pitcher this season, making just one error in 82 total chances (.988 fielding percentage).
Teammates of the Year – Enmanuel Valdez and Connor Wietgrefe
Valdez, 27, was a key piece to the Indians offense in 2026 as the infielder hit .252 (102-for-405) with 21 doubles, two triples, a Triple-A career-high 18 home runs, team-best 74 RBI and a .776 OPS in 112 games. A bright spot on the roster, you can always find him with a smile.
Many of Valdez’s homers were in impact moments. Of the three times the Indians have scored eight runs in an inning this season, two of those were capped by Valdez grand slams (4th inning on July 4 at Omaha and 5th inning on July 19 at Columbus.) He became one of just seven Indians players in the Victory Field era to post multiple grand slams in a single season. On July 4, he homered three times that day, hitting one in the resumed game from July 3 and two in the nightcap. Most recently, he logged go-ahead home runs in back-to-back games on Aug. 25-26 vs. Columbus, which propelled Indy to victory in both contests. The infielder left the yard in back-to-back contests on four occasions this season; 5/23-24 at Toledo, 6/10-11 vs. Columbus, 7/3-4 at Omaha and 8/25-26 vs. Columbus.
Valdez was named International League Player of the Week for June 29-July 5 across six games at Omaha, hitting .400 (10-for-25) with three multi-hit performances, five extra-base hits, three home runs, 11 RBI and a 1.304 OPS.
Wietgrefe, 24, has been one of Indy’s most impactful pitchers this season. Across 14 Triple-A starts, he owns a 5-5 record, 3.32 ERA (29er/78.2ip), 58 strikeouts, 1.22 WHIP and .237 opponent batting average. His consistency has made a lasting impact as the southpaw has gone 5.0-plus innings in 12 of his 14 starts and 6.0 or more in eight of those.
Pittsburgh’s No. 29 prospect (MLB Pipeline) authored one of the best starts in Victory Field history on July 12 vs. Toledo, tossing a career-high 8.0 shutout frames with one hit, zero walks and six strikeouts. Since at least 2005, there have been only three occurrences of an Indians pitcher tossing 8.0 scoreless innings on one hit or fewer. Wietgrefe is the only one who did not issue a walk as Justin Wilson tossed an 8.0-inning no-hitter with one walk on Aug. 9, 2012, vs. Charlotte and Ian Snell logged a 9.0-inning no-hitter with one walk on May 5, 2005, vs. Norfolk.
Wietgrefe’s positivity radiates as strong as his performances as he is a regular contributor for community events, pre-game ceremonial pitches and is always willing to lend a helping hand to the Indians’ content team.
The Indians and Omaha Storm Chasers return to Victory Field tonight at 6:35 PM ET. LHP Nick Dombkowski (4-5, 6.38) is scheduled to start for the Indians and RHP Lucas Braun (8-4, 4.60) will go for Omaha. Saturday night is Scratch-Off Card Giveaway for the first 2,500 early-arriving fans through the gates to receive a scratch-off card for a chance to win exclusive prizes, such as an Indianapolis Indians pennant, tote bag or tumbler cup. 9 Innings of Winnings, presented by Elements Financial, will feature a lucky fan winning a prize every inning, then culminating with Saturday Fireworks, presented by Elements Financial and Spokenote.
The final home game of the season starts tomorrow at 1:35 PM.