The 2026 High-A All-Stars and award winners

One of the most pivotal stops in a prospect's development is the High-A level. Top Draft picks out of college often begin their pro journey at High-A, and it's often the level where you can find an organization's best young talent. On Wednesday, Minor League Baseball announced its 2026 High-A All-Stars and award winners to highlight the standout performers across the Midwest, Northwest and South Atlantic Leagues.

In the Midwest League, Dodgers outfielder Charles Davalan earned MVP honors, while Royals southpaw David Shields was named Pitcher of the Year and Reds catching prospect Alfredo Duno took home another piece of hardware as the Top MLB Prospect for the second straight year.

Moving towards the Pacific to the Northwest League, Felnin Celesten (Mariners) was named MVP, left-hander Jacob Bresnahan (Giants) spun his way to Pitcher of the Year and fellow Giants prospect Jhonny Level was the circuit's Top MLB Prospect.

Finally, in the South Atlantic League, Rays outfielder Theo Gillen clubbed his way to the MVP award, while Rays righty (now Marlins) Jacob Kisting rode a breakout campaign to being named the Pitcher of the Year. And it's no surprise that last year's No. 1 overall pick, Eli Willits (Nationals), claimed Top MLB Prospect honors.

Here is a full breakdown of the hardware awarded across the High-A level:

Midwest League

Most Valuable Player: Charles Davalan, Great Lakes (LAD)  
The 2025 No. 41 overall pick paced the Midwest League with 128 hits, 29 doubles, 56 extra-base hits, 235 total bases and finished among the top three in the circuit with a .292 average (third), .535 slugging (third), .937 OPS (third), 24 home runs (third) and 103 runs (third). Davalan features solid-to-plus speed and plays with nonstop energy. Though he's not a prolific basestealer, he went 17-for-20 in stolen base attempts on the season.

Pitcher of the Year: David Shields, Quad Cities (KC)  
This is the second straight year as an All-Star for the 20-year-old southpaw, who was named the Pitcher of the Year in the Single-A Carolina League in 2025. Shields nearly swept the leaderboard as he led the circuit with a 4.01 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP, a .231 average against, 11 victories and a .647 winning percentage. His 139 strikeouts were second most in the league. He also set a career-high with 116 2/3 innings pitched.

Top MLB Prospect: Alfredo Duno, Dayton (CIN)  
Another familiar name to All-Star honors, Duno took home MVP as well as Top MLB Prospect awards last year in the Single-A Florida State League. MLB's No. 21 overall prospect slashed .260/.390/.512 with 16 dingers, 13 doubles, 47 RBIs, 46 runs scored and 49 walks over 65 games at the High-A level before his promotion to Double-A on June 30. Duno is more athletic than you might think when looking at his strong 6-foot-2 frame -- combine that with his plus arm strength and hard work in all aspects of his game, and he is displaying the makings of a big league starting backstop.

All-Star Team

1B: Josiah Hartshorn, South Bend (CHC No. 1/MLB No. 38)
2B: Daniel Dickinson, Wisconsin (MIL)
SS: Emil Morales, Great Lakes (LAD No. 4/MLB No. 23)
3B: Derlin Figueroa, Quad Cities (KC)
C: Alfredo Duno, Dayton (CIN No. 1/MLB No. 21)
OF: Eduardo Quintero, Great Lakes (LAD No. 3/MLB No. 19)
OF: Charles Davalan, Great Lakes (LAD No. 6/MLB No. 86)
OF: Braylon Payne, Wisconsin (MIL No. 6)
DH: Josiah Ragsdale, Wisconsin (now STL No. 11)
UTIL: Eric Bitonti, Wisconsin (MIL No. 26)
SP: Braylon Doughty, Lake County (CLE No. 3/MLB No. 71)
SP: David Shields, Quad Cities (KC No. 4)
SP: Zach Root, Great Lakes (LAD No. 8)
SP: Franklin Gómez, Lake County (CLE)
RP: Jackson Brockett, South Bend (CHC)
RP: Clay Edmondson, Fort Wayne (SD)
Manager: Jair Fernandez, Great Lakes (LAD)

Northwest League

Most Valuable Player: Felnin Celesten, Everett (SEA)  
After a brief stint with the Everett AquaSox to end the 2025 campaign, Celesten returned to the High-A level this year and looked right at home. The 21-year-old switch-hitting infielder led the circuit with a .314 average, .409 OBP and a .943 OPS. His .534 slugging finished second, just 1 point behind the leader, teammate and fellow All-Star Brandon Eike. Celesten scored 64 runs and drove in 52 while recording 38 extra-base hits and finishing with 165 total bases in 80 games before his promotion to Double-A on July 20.

Pitcher of the Year: Jacob Bresnahan, Eugene (SF)  
The 21-year-old southpaw dominated in his first full pro season last year and was awarded the Pitcher of the Year in the Cal League, riding that momentum into the same honors this year at the next level. Bresnahan posted a 2.92 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, a .185 average against and struck out 118 over 98 2/3 frames (20 starts) for the Eugene Emeralds. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder possesses a fastball that sits at 91-94 mph and touches 96, but works as a plus pitch because it has huge induced vertical break and he creates a lot of extension. Bresnahan also features a mid-80s kick change that grades even better than his heater thanks to devastating depth. He was promoted to Double-A on Aug. 27.

Top MLB Prospect: Jhonny Level, Eugene (SF)  
One of the most exciting players in all of the Minor Leagues, Level spent the majority of his year at High-A after opening the season at Single-A and just continued to rake. MLB's No. 46 overall prospect posted a .302/.363/.473 slash line with 34 extra-base hits -- including eight homers -- 53 runs scored, 40 RBIs and 15 stolen bases over 69 games with the Eugene Emeralds. His .836 OPS ranked seventh-best among the circuit.

All-Star Team

1B: Brandon Eike, Everett (SEA)
2B: Roynier Hernandez, Spokane (COL)
SS: Felnin Celesten, Everett (SEA No. 4/MLB No. 49)
3B: Tucker Toman, Vancouver (TOR)
C: Josh Caron, Everett (SEA)
OF: Dakota Jordan, Eugene (SF No. 7)
OF: Carlos Jimenez, Everett (SEA No. 25)
OF: Alexis Hernandez, Vancouver (TOR)
DH: Luke Stevenson, Everett (SEA No. 7)
UTIL: Jhonny Level, Eugene (SF No. 4/MLB No. 46)
SP: Jacob Bresnahan, Eugene (SF No. 9)
SP: David Hagaman, Hillsboro (AZ No. 4)
SP: Johnny King, Vancouver (TOR No. 3)
SP: Daniel Guerra, Vancouver (TOR No. 16)
RP: Ryan Vanderhei, Eugene (SF)
RP: Sandro Santana, Hillsboro (now STL No. 24)
Manager: Jacob Heyward, Eugene (SF)

South Atlantic League

Most Valuable Player: Theo Gillen, Bowling Green (TB)  
The 21-year-old outfielder appeared in 57 games with the Bowling Green Hot Rods and left a lasting impression. Gillen slashed .342/.449/.589 for a whopping 1.038 OPS while mashing 12 dingers, a trio of triples and 12 doubles. The 2024 first-rounder (No. 18 overall) scored 53 runs and drove in 44 while working 44 walks and swiping 28 bags. That performance earned Gillen a promotion to Double-A on June 23.

Pitcher of the Year: Jacob Kisting, Bowling Green (TB)  
Kisting enjoyed a breakout performance for the Hot Rods this season. After finishing the 2025 campaign with 16 appearances at High-A, the 23-year-old right-hander appeared comfortable back at the level to open this season and absolutely dominated on the hill. Kisting posted a 1.67 ERA, a 0.87 WHIP, a .180 average against and punched out 96 over 86 innings in 18 games (16 starts). He finished with a perfect 6-0 mark before being dealt to the Marlins at the Deadline in the Liam Hicks deal. Miami assigned him straight to Double-A where he continued to be effective in the Southern League.

Top MLB Prospect: Eli Willits, Wilmington (WSH)  
The No. 1 overall pick in last year's Draft had a busy season, playing at High-A as one of his three stops through the Nationals' system this year. In 64 games for the Wilmington Blue Rocks, Willits posted an .812 OPS with 24 extra-base hits, 51 runs scored, 33 RBIs, 54 walks and 31 stolen bases. His five triples ranked second-most among the circuit. MLB's No. 4 overall prospect was promoted to Double-A on Sept. 8.

All-Star Team

1B: Jared Jones, Greensboro (PIT)
2B: Mason White, Greenville (BOS No. 26)
SS: Wyatt Sanford, Greensboro (PIT No. 5)
3B: Caleb Bonemer, Winston-Salem (CWS No. 2/MLB No. 29)
C: Axiel Plaz, Greensboro (PIT No. 7)
OF: Theo Gillen, Bowling Green (TB No. 2/MLB No. 12)
OF: Enddy Azocar, Greenville (now BAL No. 9)
OF: Eric Hartman, Rome (ATL No. 1/MLB No. 41)
DH: Ryan McCoy, Bowling Green (TB)
UTIL: Sammy Stafura, Greensboro (now NYM No. 7)
SP: Jacob Kisting, Bowling Green (now MIA No. 21)
SP: Daviel Hurtado, Brooklyn (NYM No. 24)
SP: Cam Caminiti, Rome (ATL No. 2/MLB No. 42)
SP: Riley Maddox, Wilmington (WSH)
RP: Braeden Sloan, Frederick (BAL)
RP: Jacob Kmatz, Bowling Green (now LAD No. 25)
Manager: Collin Woody, Frederick (BAL)