The third annual MiLB Awards Show aired on MLB Network on Monday night with top prospects Konnor Griffin and Druw Jones on hand as hardware was handed out to the best of the best in the Minor Leagues during the 2025 season.
If you missed the show, we’ve got you covered. Here is a rundown of the finalists and winners for each award.
More on the MiLB Awards Show:
Minor League Hitting Prospect of the Year: Konnor Griffin, SS/OF, Pirates
Kevin McGonigle (DET No. 1/MLB No. 2) asserted himself as probably the best pure hitter in the Minors, and JJ Wetherholt (STL No. 1/MLB No. 6) did a little bit of everything everywhere he played, reaching Triple-A in his first pro season. But Griffin (PIT No. 1/MLB No. 1) was on another level, putting together the most impressive professional debut in recent memory as he assumed the crown as the game's top overall prospect. Playing most of the season at 19 years old, the No. 9 pick from the 2024 Draft posted only the fifth season of at least 20 homers and 60 stolen bases in MiLB history while compiling a .333/.415/.527 slash line and reaching Double-A. He finished the year with 21 homers, 94 RBIs, 65 steals, 117 runs and a .941 OPS, while ranking in the Minors' top 10 in runs, hits, RBIs, batting, OPS and total bases. More »
Runners-up: Kevin McGonigle, 2B, Tigers; JJ Wetherholt, SS, Cardinals
Minor League Pitching Prospect of the Year: Jonah Tong, RHP, Mets
Trey Yesavage (TOR No. 1/MLB No. 25) climbed from Single-A to the Majors during a dominant pro debut, and Griffin Herring (COL No. 9) piled up zeros across three levels and two organizations. But nobody was more unhittable than Tong (NYM No. 4/MLB No. 43), who lapped the field by putting up videogame numbers before his Aug. 29 MLB debut. Tong led the Minors in ERA (1.43), strikeouts (179) and average-against (1.48) while ranking second in WHIP (0.92) as he morphed into MiLB's much-watch hurler over a string of ascendant performances. He allowed one earned run or fewer in 18 of his 22 starts, two or fewer hits in eight of his first 13, and no hits at all in two, compiling 24 strikeouts over the course of those 11 2/3 combined no-hit frames. More »
Runners-up: Trey Yesavage, RHP, Blue Jays; Griffin Herring, LHP, Yankees/Rockies
All-MiLB Prospect Team
The 2024 Draft showed its strength with four players named to the All-MiLB First Team thanks to the performances in their pro debuts: first baseman Jac Caglianone (Royals), second baseman Wetherholt, shortstop Griffin and left-hander Herring (Yankees/Rockies). Organizationally, the Cardinals and Orioles were the only teams to land three players apiece on the elite squads: catcher Samuel Basallo (first team), outfielder Dylan Beavers (first) and reliever Tyson Neighbors (second) for Baltimore, and Wetherholt (first), catcher Rainiel Rodriguez (second) and third baseman Deniel Ortiz (second) for St. Louis. More »
Breakout Player of the Year: Nolan McLean, RHP, Mets
The Mets drafted McLean (NYM No. 3/MLB No. 36) in the third round of the 2023 Draft as a two-way player, but he didn't focus solely on pitching until this season -- and that turned out to be a great choice. He flourished on the mound, posting a 2.45 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP and 127 strikeouts in 113 2/3 innings between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse before his callup in mid-August. From there, McLean went on to dazzle in his first handful of big league starts much like he did at Triple-A, where he racked up 52 strikeouts across his final seven starts.
Runners-up: Rainiel Rodriguez, C, Cardinals; Edward Florentino, OF, Pirates
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Minor League Debut of the Year: Griffin
Griffin simply had the kind of season you don’t see often in the Minors, and even less often from a first-year player. Over the past 20 Minor League seasons, he's the only player to hit .300 or better while compiling at least 20 homers, 60 steals and 100 runs scored. He finished the year as the game's top overall prospect per MLB Pipeline. That’s a pretty good beginning to your pro career. More »
Runners-up: Yesavage, Herring
Defensive Player of the Year: Druw Jones, OF, D-backs
The No. 2 pick from the 2022 Draft hasn't developed into an impact offensive player quite yet, but he remains a special defender in center field -- much like his father, Andruw. Using his plus-plus speed, plus arm and strong instincts, the younger Jones (AZ No. 14) also covers a ton of ground and makes tremendous grabs, often turning the routine into something spectacular on the defensive end. If any one play illustrates that, it might be the amazing home run robbery he pulled off at High-A Hillsboro in May.
Runners-up: Franklin Arias, S, Red Sox; Vance Honeycutt, OF, Orioles
Best New Alternate Identity: Barkansas Dizzys (Seattle Mariners)
The Double-A Travelers earned the honor for Best Alternate Identity, beating out irreverent seven-team field that included the Asheville Snot Otters, New Hampshire Space Potatoes and even the John Oliver-created Erie Moon Mammoths. The Dizzys won the online fan vote by retrieving 25 percent of ballots cast. Barkansas Dizzys is a celebration of Dizzy, an 8-year-old English cream golden retriever who is the constant companion of Travelers vice president of stadium operations Greg Johnston. A longtime and beloved employee, Johnston began working for the club in 1975. More »
Finalists: Asheville Snot Otters (Astros), Binghamton Bathtub Donkeys (Mets), Erie Moon Mammoths (Tigers), Jacksonville Honey Drippers (Marlins), New Hampshire Space Potatoes (Blue Jays), Wisconsin Frozen Pizzas (Brewers)