Bryson Stott could be pushing for playing time in the big leagues in 2022.
The Phillies named Stott and right-hander Jean Cabrera their 2021 Paul Owens Award winners as the organization’s top Minor League player and pitcher, respectively. Stott, 23, is MLB Pipeline's No. 99 overall prospect. He is batting .294 with 26 doubles, 2 triples, 15 home runs, 46 RBIs, a .381 on-base percentage and a .493 slugging percentage in 100 games this season with High-A Jersey Shore and Double-A Reading. The Phillies selected the shortstop with the 14th overall pick in the 2019 Draft out of UNLV.
Phillies shortstops have a combined .663 OPS this season, which ranks 24th in the Majors. Didi Gregorius is signed through 2022, but if Stott starts the season in Triple-A and fares well early, he could push for a promotion.
“Bryson has played consistently great baseball all season long on both sides of the ball,” Phillies general manager Sam Fuld said in a statement. “His ability to use the whole field, control the zone and impact the game with his athleticism makes him a unique player. He continues to impress as a teammate and as a worker. We’re excited to see Bryson progress through our system.”
Cabrera is 3-1 with a 1.37 ERA in 11 starts with Rookie-level Phillies White in the Dominican Summer League. He has a 0.85 WHIP and held opponents to a .196 batting average in his first professional season. Cabrera struck out 57 and walked seven in 46 innings. He is the organization’s first 19-year-old Paul Owens Award winner since Carlos Carrasco in 2006.
“Jean has dominated hitters this season and put himself on the radar within the organization,” Fuld said.
Conner wins Dallas Green Award
Phillies national scouting coordinator Darrell Conner won the 2021 Dallas Green Award, which is presented annually to the amateur or professional scout who best exemplifies the Phillies’ standard for scouting. Conner has worked with the organization since 1999, beginning as an area scout. He signed Cole Hamels in 2002. He also helped the Phillies draft Rhys Hoskins, Luke Williams, Bailey Falter, JoJo Romero and Scott Kingery, along with former Phillies like J.P. Crawford, Ken Giles, Tyler Gilbert and Aaron Altherr.
“When I got the call, I was pretty emotional,” Conner said. “I’m a lifer here.”
John Vukovich Award winner
Orlando Muñoz, the Phillies White manager and Venezuela camp coordinator, won the 2021 John Vukovich Award. Muñoz joined the Phillies' player development staff in 2017. He has been among the first instructors for dozens of Venezuelan and Dominican players entering the system.
“For a lot of these players, he was the first person to show them what it means to be a Philadelphia Phillie, and that is one of the reasons he was chosen for this award,” Phillies assistant general manager Jorge Velandia said. “Orlando has been an incredible worker, brings passion to the game and has truly impacted our organization. He is humble, has a tremendous ability to communicate with players and teach the game the right way. He is always positive and is someone who leads by his actions.”
The award is presented annually to an instructor in the Phillies organization who embodies the characteristics of the award’s namesake: loyalty, dedication, competitiveness, knowledge, honesty and a terrific work ethic.