2012 MiLBY Awards

Play of the Year

Check back on to find out who won!

It's clear that speed gets fans excited, and Mike Trout has plenty of it. He made remarkable plays in an MVP-caliber season for the Angels, but Trout started the season in Salt Lake where he raced from first to home -- on a single. Read More »

If there was one player who defined the 2012 Minor League season, it was Billy Hamilton. Therefore, it's fitting that his record-breaking steal -- No. 146 of 155 on the season -- was chosen by fans as the Moment of the Year. Read More »

The home run fans voted the best in 2012 didn't even leave the park. It may have been one of the fastest home runs ever thanks to speedster Billy Hamilton, who raced around the bases in 13.8 seconds to take the MiLBY. Read More »

No Minor Leaguers hit more home runs in 2012 than the Phillies' Darin Ruf and the Royals' Wil Myers. So it's fitting that the two share the MiLBY awards for Best Offensive Player, with Ruf winning the fans vote and Myers the choice of MiLB.com's staff. Read More »

Two of the youngest, most exciting right-handed pitchers in the Minors took home the MiLBYs for top starting pitcher. Orioles' No. 1 prospect Dylan Bundy was the fans' choice while Marlins' No. 2 prospect Jose Fernandez was MiLB.com's staff pick. Read More »

Two Class A Advanced righties dominated in 2012. Padres prospect Kevin Quackenbush excelled in the hitter-dominated Cal League to become the Fans' Choice, while Ranger Ben Rowen had a 52-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio to earn the Staff's Choice. Read More »

Dan Straily hadn't pitched above Class A before rocketing to the Majors this season while leading Minor Leaguers in strikeouts. Tyler Austin stayed healthy and showed he can be a dominant offensive producer in the outfield. They're the breakout prospects of 2012. Read More »

Three innings after his team avoided elimination with a five-run ninth, D.J. Hicks slugged a walk-off grand slam in the 12th inning of the deciding game of the Appalachian League Finals to give the Elizabethton Twins the title, and in the process, a MiLBY. Read More »

More than a dozen leagues crowned champions in 2012, but two rose above the rest. Fans overwhelmingly selected New York-Penn League champions Hudson Valley as the top team, and the MiLB.com staff chose the South Atlantic League champs from Asheville. Read More »

A promotion that involved a movie star, a celebrity pitch man, a major sponsor, a salute to the military, and, oh, a massive aircraft carrier, Charleston's Sally League Home Run Derby was sure to be a contender for Promo of the Year -- and fans voted it the winner. Read More »

When Morrie Silver snapped a photo of a looming storm headed toward Frontier Field in Rochester, he never guessed the image would fascinate and excite so many fans. Read More »

- Mike Trout scores from first on a single
  
  Mike Trout showed the kind of heads-up baseball that eventually put him in the American League MVP discussion, scoring from first base on a hit-and-run for Salt Lake.
  
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- Votes: 19%
- Repko leaps over fence for catch
  
  Pawtucket outfielder Jason Repko goes above and beyond, flipping over the fence to rob Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's Kosuke Fukudome of a grand slam.
  
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- Votes: 19%
- James' catch is an optical illusion
  
  Reading's Jiwan James does his best Spider-Man impression, climbing the wall in center field to take a home run away from Bowie.
  
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- Votes: 17%
- IronPigs turn 2-6-4 triple play
  
  Lehigh Valley catcher Eli Kratz catches a pop-up bunt by Chase d'Arnaud and starts a 2-6-4 triple play -- the first in franchise history for the IronPigs.
  
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- Votes: 14%
- Austin Wates takes away a homer
  
  Corpus Christi's Brandon Barnes and Austin Wates both go over the wall in an attempt to rob a homer. Wates is the one who emerges with the ball in tow for the Hooks.
  
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- Votes: 8%
- Didi Gregorius makes defensive gem
  
  Didi Gregorius shows he's not going to take things lying down, making a diving stop and throwing to first while still on his back for Pensacola.
  
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- Votes: 7%
- Tony Cingrani strikes out 15th batter
  
  Left-hander Tony Cingrani shows the stuff that put him on the map, fanning Joseph Dunigan for his career-high 15th strikeout in Pensacola's 5-0 win.
  
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- Votes: 4%
- Sneaky Wimberly steals home
  
  Buffalo outfielder Corey Wimberly fakes out Indianapolis catcher Jose Morales and takes off in a steal of home on the throw back to the pitcher.
  
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- Votes: 4%
- Midland's Choice gets dugout double
  
  Michael Choice's popout blows back into the infield and bounces all the way into the dugout to give the outfielder a strange ground-rule double for Midland.
  
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- Votes: 3%
- Iglesias shows range and arm
  
  Pawtucket shortstop Jose Iglesias shows his defensive reputation is well deserved, going deep in the hole and making a leaping throw to first base to prevent a run.
  
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- Votes: 2%
- McHugh makes behind-the-back grab
  
  Buffalo's Collin McHugh makes a play reminiscent of Magic Johnson, making a no-look, behind-the-back snag of a grounder up the middle for a 1-3 putout.
  
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- Votes: 2%
- Goebbert, Rosario collide at home plate
  
  Arkansas catcher Alberto Rosario is crushed by Corpus Christi's Jake Goebbert in a collision at home plate, a play that ended Rosario's season.
  
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- Votes: 1%

- Hamilton sets all-time steals mark
  
  The Reds' top prospect stole his 146th base of the season on Aug. 21 -- swiping third for Double-A Pensacola and breaking Vince Coleman's record of 145 set in 1983. He finished with 155 thefts on the season.
  
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- Votes: 22%
- D-Cubs intern gets tossed
  
  Music intern Derek Dye gets ejected from the press box by home plate umpire Mario Seneca after the former mockingly plays "Three Blind Mice" over the Jackie Robinson Ballpark PA system.
  
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- Votes: 20%
- Soldier's mother surprised in Greenville
  
  A mother speaks about her son's ongoing military service during a USO ceremony at Greenville's Fluor Field, only to be completely caught off guard by the sudden appearance of a very familiar face.
  
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- Votes: 17%
- Bill Murray's rainy-day antics
  
  The "Caddyshack" and "Ghostbusters" star, who is also part-owner of the Charleston RiverDogs and the team's official Director of Fun, takes his comedic routine to the tarp during a rain delay.
  
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- Votes: 11%
- Rip Tide takes tumble from ATV
  
  The Norfolk Tides mascot speeds his way around the Harbor Park warning track, only to wipe out while trying to take a tight turn around the right-field corner.
  
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- Votes: 8%
- Slick play completes Indy no-hitter
  
  Indians second baseman Anderson Hernandez makes a bare-handed flip to first to complete a combined no-hitter from hurlers Justin Wilson, Jose Diaz and Doug Slaten -- the team's first in seven years.
  
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- Votes: 7%
- Profar's hitting streak reaches 29
  
  MLB.com's top prospect wasted no time on May 19. The shortstop doubled to left field in his first at-bat against San Antonio to extend his hitting streak to 29 games, the longest in Double-A last year.
  
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- Votes: 4%
- Hefty Diaz steals third, scores
  
  Indianapolis relief pitcher Jose Diaz, who officially checks in at 300 pounds, successfully swipes third base and eventually scores, much to the amusement of his teammates in the dugout.
  
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- Votes: 3%
- Canadians celebrate after close call
  
  The Canadians mob Boise's Memorial Stadium field to celebrate their second straight Northwest League championship after Vancouver reliever Andrew Sikula gets Gioskar Amaya to ground out to short on a controversial play at first.
  
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- Votes: 3%
- Brawl breaks out in Mississippi
  
  BayBears baserunner Rossmel Perez slides directly in to Braves pitcher Michael Tarsi while trying to score from third on a passed ball. The play leads to a memorable scuffle that emptied both benches in the ninth inning.
  
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- Votes: 2%
- Orbit takes victory lap
  
  While circling around the Isotopes Park perimeter in a small truck, Albuquerque mascot Orbit shows off the belt he won for being voted the Best Mascot in Minor League Baseball by the fans.
  
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- Votes: 2%
- Generals celebrate King Felix's perfecto
  
  Players from the Mariners' Double-A affiliate celebrate after watching Felix Hernandez toss the first perfect game in Seattle's franchise history.
  
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- Votes: 2%

- Hamilton hits inside-the-park homer
  
  Stolen-base record holder Billy Hamilton made it look easy with an inside-the-park home run in Double-A Pensacola's 6-2 win over Jacksonville, rounding the bases in just 13.8 seconds.
  
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- Votes: 19%
- Mike Trout hits a tape-measure shot
  
  Before taking the Majors by storm, Mike Trout was hitting moonshots in the Minors. Trout opened a game in Triple-A Reno with a blast that cleared the deepest part of the yard.
  
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- Votes: 18%
- Anderson busts the scoreboard
  
  Cleanup hitter Lars Anderson blasted a longball on May 29 for Triple-A Pawtucket that took out a block of lights on the McCoy Stadium scoreboard.
  
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- Votes: 12%
- Myers' grand slam off Oswalt
  
  Top Royals prospect Wil Myers took Major Leaguer Roy Oswalt deep for a grand slam during Triple-A Omaha's 7-2 win over Round Rock on June 7.
  
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- Votes: 11%
- Harper hits first homer of 2012
  
  Nationals phenom Bryce Harper went yard for the first time this season on April 22 against Triple-A Buffalo -- and was promoted to the Major League club four days later.
  
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- Votes: 7%
- Mesa's walk-off keeps Yanks alive
  
  Melky Mesa's two-run homer just barely cleared the outstretched glove of left fielder Jason Repko, giving Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre a 4-3 win in Game 3 of the Governors' Cup Finals.
  
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- Votes: 6%
- Shoulders rocks a grand slam
  
  Moniker Madness champion Rock Shoulders crushed a grand slam into the next ZIP code in short-season Boise's 5-4 loss to Yakima on Sept. 3 -- much to the delight of the play-by-play announcer.
  
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- Votes: 6%
- Gwynn stuns Omaha in PCL semis
  
  Tony Gwynn Jr.'s three-run blast in the eighth gave Triple-A Albuquerque the lead in the Isotopes' wild 12-10 win over Omaha in Game 4 of the Pacific Coast League semifinals.
  
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- Votes: 6%
- Middlebrooks extends homer streak
  
  There were few players hotter in the month of April than Red Sox third base prospect Will Middlebrooks, who dazzled PawSox fans by homering in his fourth straight game.
  
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- Votes: 5%
- Dash's Walker takes Bundy deep
  
  Class A Advanced Winston-Salem's Keenyn Walker launched the first pitch from No. 2 Orioles prospect Dylan Bundy into the right-field seats to lead off the Dash's 5-4 win on July 20.
  
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- Votes: 4%
- Garcia launches Round 1 walk-off
  
  Leury Garcia put an exclamation point on Double-A Frisco's first-round victory over Corpus Christi with a walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth with a walk-off homer that gave the RoughRiders a 3-2 win in Game 2.
  
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- Votes: 4%
- Patriots' Gronk shows off longball skills
  
  New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski knocked one out of the park during a celebrity home run derby at Triple-A Buffalo's Coca-Cola Field.
  
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- Votes: 3%

- Darin Ruf, 1B
  
  .317 AVG, 32 2Bs, 38 HRs, 104 RBIs
  
  Earning the nickname "Babe" -- it fits with "Ruf" -- he more than doubled his homer total from 2011 (17). He led the Minor Leagues in this category, and paced his Eastern League peers in RBIs, total bases and on-base percentage.
- Votes: 19%
- Billy Hamilton, SS
  
  .311 AVG, 112 runs, 14 3Bs, 155 SBs
  
  Let's make this fast: Hamilton set the Minors' all-time stolen base record after leading two different leagues in steals. Other parts of his game being underrated as a result, this shortstop-in-progress was no slouch in the batter's box.
- Votes: 15%
- David Dahl, OF
  
  .379 AVG, 22 2Bs, 57 RBIs, 1.048 OPS
  
  As the 2012 Draft's 10th pick, could Dahl have imagined a better start to his career? The lefty-hitting outfielder's .379 batting average was 41 points higher than the next best mark among Pioneer Leaguers. His 27-game hitting streak helped.
- Votes: 13%
- Christian Yelich, OF
  
  .329 AVG, 29 2Bs, 20 SBs, .402 OBP
  
  After overcoming a late start to the season -- he was struck by a foul ball in Spring Training -- Yelich did what Yelich does: hit over .300, show gap-to-gap power and fly around the bases.
- Votes: 10%
- Adam Eaton, OF
  
  .379 AVG, 47 2Bs, 44 SBs, .456 OBP
  
  This 5-foot-8 outfielder set the stakes in Pacific Coast League runs, hits, doubles, total bases, steals, on-base percentage and batting. Then he swept the circuit's Rookie of the Year and MVP Awards. The MiLBY is last on his to-do list.
- Votes: 10%
- Wil Myers, OF
  
  .314 AVG, 37 HR, 109 RBIs, .987 OPS
  
  After his so-so, injury-riddled '11, no one regained more ground than Myers. While the Royals shifted him all over the diamond defensively, he was a constant juggernaut with his bat, hitting 29 more homers than he did last year.
- Votes: 9%
- Joey Gallo, 3B
  
  .272 AVG, 22 HRs, .412 OBP, .660 SLG
  
  Gallo, the 39th overall draftee this summer, broke the Arizona League record with 18 home runs. He hit one every 8.33 at-bats. The 18-year-old's 16-game rough introduction to the more challenging Northwest League couldn't dampen that.
- Votes: 9%
- Matthew Skole, 3B
  
  .291 AVG, 27 HRs, 104 RBIs, .426 OBP
  
  Despite finishing in the Carolina League, this third baseman led the Sally League in longballs (and walks). Plus, he wasn't streaky, belting at least four homers/month while tallying 14 in the first half and 13 in the second.
- Votes: 7%
- Jackie Bradley, OF
  
  .315 AVG, 90 runs, 42 2Bs, 24 SBs, .430 OBP
  
  Increasing his prospect stock in Boston, Bradley stormed out of the gate in 67 games in the Carolina League, where his .480 on-base percentage bent reason. He was also impressive at Double-A, posting an .809 OPS in 61 games.
- Votes: 7%
- Oscar Taveras, OF
  
  .321 AVG, 37 2Bs, 23 HRs, 94 RBIs
  
  Benefiting from the lineup presence of leadoff man Kolten Wong, the Cardinals' top-ranked prospect topped the Texas League in batting. He was also at or near the top in runs, hits, doubles and homers. Not bad for a 20-year-old.
- Votes: 6%
- Hunter Morris, 1B
  
  .303 AVG, 40 2Bs, 28 HRs, 113 RBIs
  
  The best hitter Huntsville had to offer, Morris finished his career-best campaign first among Southern Leaguers in hits, homers, RBIs, total bases -- all while finishing fourth in batting average.
- Votes: 6%
- Stefen Romero, 3B
  
  .352 AVG, 23 HRs, 101 RBIs, .991 OPS
  
  A 12th-round draftee two years ago, Romero was named a Cal League Midseason All-Star for his .357/.391/.581 slash line. Following his promotion to the Southern circuit, his line there was awfully similar: .347/.392./.620.
- Votes: 2%

- Dylan Bundy, RHP
  
  9-3, 2.08 ERA, 103 IP, 119 K's
  
  Beyond one shortstop's inclination to steal, there was no bigger story this season than Mr. Bundy. At 19, he pitched the first 33 innings of his career without allowing an earned run and excelled for three advanced Baltimore affiliates.
- Votes: 20%
- Tyler Cloyd, RHP
  
  15-1, 2.26 ERA, 167 IP, 113 K's
  
  Cloyd, the International League's Most Valuable Pitcher, racked up the second-most wins among all Minor League hurlers. His 12-1 record and 2.35 ERA in his first 22 Triple-A starts showed that no learning curve was necessary.
- Votes: 18%
- Trevor Bauer, RHP
  
  12-2, 2.42 ERA, 130 1/3 IP, 157 K's
  
  MLB stats are irrelevant here, so while Bauer struggled in four starts in the bigs, he was Bauer-like in the Minors. He dominated Double-A batters before overcoming a strained groin and sore knee to the tune of a 2.85 PCL ERA.
- Votes: 11%
- Jose Fernandez, RHP
  
  14-1, 1.75 ERA, 134 IP, 158 K's
  
  The Cuba-born Fernandez didn't turn 20 until July 31, yet he posted sub-2.00 ERAs in both the South Atlantic and Florida State Leagues while tallying the third-most victories in the Minors. The opposition hit .191 against him.
- Votes: 8%
- Tony Cingrani, LHP
  
  10-4, 1.73 ERA, 146 IP, 172 K's
  
  A college reliever-turned-pro starter, Cingrani accumulated the Minors' second-highest strikeout total, or 1.2 Ks/inning. He held Cal and Southern League batters to a .191 batting average. And he did it with a fastball that peaked at 93 mph.
- Votes: 8%
- Dan Straily, RHP
  
  9-7, 2.78 ERA, 152 IP, 190 K's
  
  The on-the-sly Straily pitched at three levels, finishing in the Majors. He led the Minors in total strikeouts and was especially effective in the PCL, where he held arguably the toughest league's hitters to a .172 batting average.
- Votes: 6%
- Cody Buckel, RHP
  
  10-8, 2.49 ERA, 144 2/3 IP, 159 K's
  
  Buckel, Bauer's friend and semi-protege, earned Carolina League Midseason All-Star status thanks to his 1.31 ERA in 13 outings. He wasn't shabby his first 13 games in the Texas League either. Perhaps most impressive: .206 opponents' batting average overall.
- Votes: 6%
- Hiram Burgos, RHP
  
  10-4, 1.95 ERA, 171 IP, 153 K's
  
  Having to repeat the Class A Advanced level to begin the season, Burgos pitched like a miffed man. He conquered three levels overall, recording career bests in wins, ERA, starts, innings and strikeouts.
- Votes: 5%
- Nathan Karns, RHP
  
  11-4, 2.17 ERA, 116 IP, 148 K's
  
  In his first full season since undergoing shoulder surgery in 2010, Karns struck out 1.3 batters/inning while holding enemy lineups to a .174 batting average. He also kept the ball in the yard, yielding only two homers.
- Votes: 5%
- Alex Meyer, RHP
  
  10-6, 2.86 ERA, 129 IP, 139 K's
  
  Another Nationals prospect (albeit a higher-ranked one) that spent time at Class A Hagerstown and Class A Advanced Potomac, Meyer was actually better at the higher level, shrinking his ERA from 3.10 to 2.31 following a mid-July promotion.
- Votes: 5%
- Noah Syndergaard, RHP
  
  8-5, 2.60 ERA, 103 IP, 122 K's
  
  This 20-year-old, speed-balling Texan emerges from the "Lansing Three," which also includes teammates Aaron Sanchez and Justin Nicolino, because of his 1.47 starter's ERA. His 6.38 mark as a reliever -- blame piggybacking -- supplies unfair spin on his overall numbers.
- Votes: 5%
- Hansel Robles, RHP
  
  6-1, 1.11 ERA, 72 2/3 IP, 66 K's
  
  Despite a smaller sample size pitching in the truncated New York-Penn League, this Dominican righty earned his nomination by dominating: Robles allowed one earned run or less in 11 of 12 starts, which all spanned five or more frames.
- Votes: 3%

- Kevin Quackenbush, RHP
  
  3-2, 27 SV, 0.94 ERA, 57 2/3 IP, 70 K's
  
  The California League mid- and postseason All-Star turned in a 0.94 ERA over 52 appearances in 2012. Quackenbush led the hitter-friendly circuit in saves (27) and opponent batting average (.205).
- Votes: 18%
- Nick Wittgren, RHP
  
  0-2, 13 SV, 1.17 ERA, 30 2/3 IP, 47 K's
  
  The Purdue product did not surrender a run in 10 appearances at Class A. Wittgren picked up a league-high three saves in Greensboro's run to the South Atlantic League Finals, allowing just two hits over 5 1/3 innings in the postseason.
- Votes: 15%
- Justin Friend, RHP
  
  4-1, 25 SV, 1.33 ERA, 54 IP, 54 K's
  
  Friend tied a club record with 24 saves to go along with a sterling 0.23 ERA in 38 appearances for Double-A Reading. The right-hander allowed just two runs (one earned) before being promoted in early September.
- Votes: 15%
- Danny Barnes, RHP
  
  1-3, 34 SV, 1.87 ERA, 53 IP, 65 K's
  
  The New York native led the Minors with 34 saves this season, setting a Dunedin record. Barnes allowed just eight runs on 37 hits for the Jays' Florida State League affiliate, holding opponents scoreless in his final 15 appearances.
- Votes: 15%
- Ben Rowen, RHP
  
  5-0, 19 SV, 1.57 ERA, 57 1/3 IP, 66 K's
  
  The right-hander went 19-for-20 in save situations in his third professional season, best in the Carolina League. Rowen, a Virginia Tech alum, also compiled a 5-0 record out of the bullpen, finishing with a 1.57 ERA.
- Votes: 15%
- Steve Ames, RHP
  
  3-3, 18 SV, 1.56 ERA, 63 1/3 IP, 72 K's
  
  The midseason All-Star put up career-best numbers in saves, strikeouts, ERA and wins. He ranked in the Southern League's top three in strikeouts per nine innings (10.23) and walks per nine innings (1.85).
- Votes: 9%
- Michael Olmsted, RHP
  
  1-4, 19 SV, 1.52 ERA, 59 1/3 IP, 92 K's
  
  The right-hander allowed five runs -- none of them earned -- while striking out 31 over 20 innings for the Sea Dogs. The Red Sox farmhand totaled 19 saves and 92 strikeouts in 47 appearances between Double-A Portland and Class A Advanced Salem.
- Votes: 9%
- Nathan Kilcrease, RHP
  
  1-3, 15 SV, 1.28 ERA, 49 1/3 IP, 42 K's
  
  The Pirates prospect allowed just five earned runs over 37 innings after being traded from Oakland in late May. Kilcrease was a perfect 15-for-15 in save opportunities for the Class A Power, totaling 25 scoreless outings.
- Votes: 8%
- Christian Garcia, RHP
  
  2-1, 21 SV, 0.86 ERA, 52 1/3 IP, 66 K's
  
  Garcia was the rock of the Syracuse bullpen, finishing with a 0.56 ERA in 27 appearances. A former starter, the Nationals farmhand shattered his career high with 21 saves across two levels this season.
- Votes: 5%
- Joe Dvorsky, RHP
  
  2-1, 5 SV, 2.08 ERA, 34 2/3 IP, 35 K's
  
  The White Sox prospect allowed just eight earned runs over 34 2/3 innings in the high-scoring Pioneer League, finishing with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 35-4. His mark of 1.04 walks per nine innings led all relievers on the circuit.
- Votes: 5%
- Bruce Rondon, RHP
  
  2-1, 29 SV, 1.53 ERA, 53 IP, 66 K's
  
  The 2012 Futures Game selection had success at three levels this season, posting a 1.53 ERA in 52 appearances between Class A Advanced Lakeland, Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo. Rondon's 29 saves ranked third among all Minor League pitchers.
- Votes: 5%
- Greg Burke, RHP
  
  3-1, 17 SV, 1.53 ERA, 64 2/3 IP, 50 K's
  
  The 30-year-old veteran impressed in his first year in the Orioles organization, holding a 1.53 ERA at both Double-A (23 games) and Triple-A (21 games). Burke allowed just two earned runs over his final 16 appearances.
- Votes: 4%

- Tyler Austin, OF
  
  .322 AVG, 17 HR, 80 RBI, 23 SB
  
  Austin, a 13th-round draftee in 2010, reached Double-A the week of his 21st birthday during his first healthy season. He hit 14 homers in 70 games, including six in one seven-game stretch, with Class A Charleston.
- Votes: 18%
- Aaron Sanchez, RHP
  
  8-5, 2.49 ERA, 90 1/3 IP, 97 K's
  
  Sanchez pitched in a combined 24 games his first two professional seasons, then appeared in 25 in 2012 alone. There was as much quality as quantity, highlighted by his 6-0 record and a 0.77 ERA before the All-Star break.
- Votes: 11%
- Jackie Bradley, OF
  
  .315 BA, 42 2Bs, 24 SBs, .430 OBP
  
  Bradley personified the original valued metric of "Moneyball," reaching base safely in 48 percent of his 234 at-bats -- and in 26 straight games early on -- in the Carolina League before his promotion.
- Votes: 11%
- Jake Elmore, 2B
  
  .344 AVG, 95 runs, 32 SBs, .442 OBP
  
  The out-of-nowhere Elmore, a 34th-round draftee in 2008, was a career .273 hitter entering 2012. With the advantages of batting in a potent lineup -- and in the friendly environs of the PCL -- he sported 31-game hitting and 46-game on-base streaks.
- Votes: 10%
- Jose Fernandez, RHP
  
  14-1, 1.75 ERA, 134 IP, 158 K's
  
  The Cuba-born Fernandez didn't turn 20 until July 31, yet posted sub-2.00 ERAs in both the South Atlantic and Florida State Leagues. He also pitched two-thirds of a no-hitter in April.
- Votes: 9%
- Tony Cingrani, LHP
  
  10-4, 1.73 ERA, 146 IP, 172 K's
  
  Cingrani proved his mettle as a first-timer in 2011, but did anyone see him posting a 1.11 ERA in 10 Cal League starts? Even more amazing, the confident lefty was nearly as good at Double-A.
- Votes: 8%
- Dan Straily, RHP
  
  9-7, 2.78 ERA, 152 IP, 190 K's
  
  Straily, a 24th-round draftee in 2009, pitched at three levels, finishing in the Majors. The K's were his calling card, as he led the Minors most of the year.
- Votes: 8%
- Michael Foltynewicz, RHP
  
  14-4, 3.14 ERA, 152 IP, 125 K's
  
  Foltynewicz did his sneaking up by bouncing back: The righty returned to Class A Lexington for a second straight season and nearly tripled his win total (from five) while shaving two runs off his ERA (from 4.97).
- Votes: 7%
- Alen Hanson, SS
  
  .309 AVG, 13 3B, 35 SBs, .528 SLG
  
  Hanson, an emerging Pirates prospect, led the Sally League in runs, triples and total bases while nearly doubling (and in some cases, tripling) most of his career highs. Not bad for a foreign-born ballplayer in his first full season stateside.
- Votes: 5%
- Clayton Blackburn, RHP
  
  8-4, 2.54 ERA, 131 1/3 IP, 143 K's
  
  Blackburn, a 16th-round draftee in 2011, struck out more batters than any Sally starter while finishing with the lowest WHIP and second-lowest ERA. Oh, and he doesn't turn 20 until January.
- Votes: 5%
- Leon Landry, OF
  
  .341 AVG, 18 3Bs, 27 SBs, .584 SLG
  
  Landry led the Cal League in batting -- he hit .385 after his July trade from Los Angeles to Seattle -- and paced the entire Minor Leagues in triples, even besting Billy Hamilton by four in the category.
- Votes: 4%
- Michael Fulmer, RHP
  
  7-6, 2.74 ERA, 108 1/3 IP, 101 K's
  
  Had he not reached his innings limit, Fulmer's Sally ERA would have qualified for third-best among his peers. And he didn't tire down the stretch in his first full season: His first-half ERA (3.35) dwarfs his second-half mark (2.20).
- Votes: 2%

- Legends' Devenski fans 16 in no-hitter
  
  Sixteen strikeouts are often enough to get you some attention, but Chris Devenski upped the ante even more by tossing a no-hitter as well -- the first complete-game, nine-inning no-no in Class A Lexington Legends' history. More »
- Votes: 16%
- Wahoos' Hamilton breaks steals record
  
  In a feat that seemed more a matter of when than if, Double-A Pensacola's Billy Hamilton needed three innings to steal three bases and break Vince Coleman's single-season stolen base record of 145. More »
- Votes: 15%
- P-Rays outlast Mariners in 23 innings
  
  In a contest that defined the term "marathon game," Rookie-level Princeton scored four times in the top of the 23rd inning and held on to beat Pulaski, 12-9, nearly 24 hours after the game started. More »
- Votes: 10%
- Corrigan perfect for Palm Beach
  
  Cardinals prospect Chris Corrigan pitched the first perfect game in Palm Beach history and the ninth in the 93-year history of the Florida State League on Aug. 29 when he retired all 27 Charlotte Stone Crabs batters he faced. More »
- Votes: 9%
- Proscia homers three times ... again
  
  In the midst of a 4-for-26 slump, Class A Advanced High Desert's Steven Proscia went yard three times against Stockton, becoming the first Minor Leaguer in 2012 to have a pair of three-homer games. More »
- Votes: 9%
- Two slams better than one for Sands
  
  Three trips to the plate with the bases loaded produced two grand slams for Triple-A Albuquerque's Jerry Sands, who finished with a career-high eight RBIs in a seven-inning 11-0 win over Nashville. More »
- Votes: 9%
- Swauger slugs Cards to playoff win
  
  Chris Swauger led the Double-A Cardinals' comeback with three homers, including a two-run shot in the 10th inning, to lead Springfield to a Game 1 win in the Texas League semifinals. More »
- Votes: 6%
- Coulter, Crew score 17 -- in first inning
  
  Sending 22 batters to the plate, the Rookie-level Arizona League Brewers scored 17 runs in the first inning. First-round pick Clint Coulter singled twice and Jose Pena plated three in the frame. More »
- Votes: 6%
- Cyclones win battle of near-no-hitters
  
  Hansel Robles retired the first 23 batters of the game for short-season Brooklyn, while three Vermont hurlers took a no-hitter into the ninth inning. But the Cyclones singled twice in the ninth to win, 1-0. More »
- Votes: 6%
- Wierzbicki homers in 11th to cap cycle
  
  First baseman Jesse Wierzbicki slugged a two-run homer in the top of the 11th inning, completing the first cycle in short-season Tri-City history and giving the ValleyCats a lead they wouldn't relinquish. More »
- Votes: 6%
- Visalia tallies 26 runs in onslaught
  
  The Rawhide produced 31 hits -- one shy of the California League record -- in a 26-11 slugfest at High Desert's notoriously hitter-friendly Mavericks Stadium, where the winds were gusting at a reported 30 mph. More »
- Votes: 5%
- Hicks gives Twins storybook ending
  
  D.J. Hicks scripted a storybook finish, slugging a 12th-inning walk-off grand slam in Game 3 of the Appalachian League Finals to clinch the Rookie-level Elizabethton Twins' fifth crown in 10 years. More »
- Votes: 4%

- Hudson Valley Renegades
  
  52-24, New York-Penn League champions
  
  The Renegades owned the New York-Penn League's best record at 52-24 and followed that up by claiming their first league title since 1999 with a come-from-behind series win in the best-of-3 Finals.
- Votes: 29%
- Asheville Tourists
  
  88-52, South Atlantic League champions
  
  The Tourists ruled the South Atlantic League both in the regular season and the playoffs. Their 88-52 record was a circuit best, and they scored 29 runs in their last three Finals wins for their first outright title since 1984.
- Votes: 14%
- Reno Aces
  
  81-63, Pacific Coast League and Triple-A champions
  
  The Aces, winners of the Pacific Northern Division, brought their first Pacific Coast League championship to Reno and captured the Triple-A National Championship with a 10-3 thumping of Pawtucket three days later.
- Votes: 13%
- Pawtucket Red Sox
  
  79-65, International League champions
  
  The Red Sox swept Charlotte in three games to win the Governors' Cup for the first time since 1984 after taking the International League's Wild Card with a 79-65 record in the regular season.
- Votes: 9%
- Indianapolis Indians
  
  89-55, International League West champions
  
  The Indians -- a Pirates affiliate -- finished the season with an IL-best 89-55 record for the squad's highest win total since opening Victory Field in 1996 before bowing out in the semifinals to Charlotte.
- Votes: 8%
- Winston-Salem Dash
  
  87-51, Carolina League South first- and second-half champions
  
  The Dash were one of the most consistent teams in the Minors, going 44-25 in the first half of the Carolina League season and 43-26 in the second. The squad captured Southern Division titles in both halves before falling to Lynchburg in the Mills Cup Finals.
- Votes: 8%
- Springfield Cardinals
  
  77-61, Texas League champions
  
  The Cardinals rebounded from a third-place finish (35-35) in the first half to take the Texas League South Division second-half crown and went on to win the team's first championship with a 3-1 Finals win over Frisco.
- Votes: 7%
- Akron Aeros
  
  82-59, Eastern League champions
  
  After owning the Eastern League's best record at 82-59, the Aeros needed to come back from a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-5 semifinals with Bowie before clinching their second title in four years with a 3-1 Finals win over Trenton.
- Votes: 7%
- Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
  
  78-61, Midwest League champions
  
  The Timber Rattlers won the Midwest League Western Division first-half title and provided a delayed encore with their first league championship since 1984 when the team was known as the Appleton Foxes.
- Votes: 5%
- St. Lucie Mets
  
  83-52, Florida State League South first-half champions
  
  The Mets were absolutely dominant in the opening stanza of the regular season, going 49-19 and winning the Florida State League South Division first-half title. They finished with the circuit's best overall record at 83-52, but fell in the semifinals to Jupiter.
- Votes: 5%
- Vancouver Canadians
  
  46-30, Northwest League champions
  
  The Canadians squeaked into the playoffs with a second-half title in the Northwest League West Division, and they made the most of their opportunity by repeating as league champions.
- Votes: 4%
- Elizabethton Twins
  
  43-22, Appalachian League champions
  
  Thanks to an Appalachian League-best 43-22 record, the Twins entered the postseason for the eighth consecutive season and didn't disappoint. The Rookie-level squad won its fifth title in 10 years, thanks to D.J. Hicks' 12th-inning walk-off grand slam in Game 3.
- Votes: 3%

- Home Run Derby aboard USS Yorktown
  
  In which powerful prospects blasted baseballs into the bay
  
  In a truly unprecedented occurrence, the RiverDogs conducted the first round of the SAL Home Run Derby from aboard a storied aircraft carrier. Baseballs were hit into Charleston Harbor, where they were retrieved by volunteers on Jet Skis.
- Votes: 23%
- Special Needs Baseball Camp
  
  An inspiring day of baseball instruction in Southwest Florida
  
  In conjunction with the Dave Clark Foundation, the Miracle host a day-long camp for children with disabilities. The entire Miracle team and coaching staff participates, resulting in an admirable teacher-to-student ratio.
- Votes: 23%
- Eastern League Home Run Derby
  
  R-Phils turn staid competition into cartoonish wonderland
  
  Seeking to inject fresh life into the Eastern League Home Run Derby, the R-Phillies pulled out all of the stops. Highlights included an in-derby musical performance, dunk tank targets and an intern catching balls while suspended from a crane.
- Votes: 15%
- Taco Truck Throwdown 2
  
  A cavalcade of vehicular vendors vie for taco supremacy in Fresno
  
  After a tortilla-ly awesome debut, Fresno's Taco Truck Throwdown returned with a meat and vegetable vengeance. A dozen vendors set up shop at Chukchansi Park, and a $20 ticket package included admission to the game, T-shirt and four tacos.
- Votes: 10%
- No Soup for You Night
  
  A cult sitcom celebrity dishes out the goods for adoring Oremites
  
  Despite his well-known propensity for denial, it was soup for everyone in Orem as "The Soup Nazi" served up his titular foodstuff. The first 1,000 fans in attendance received team-logo ladles, which Thomas autographed with abandon.
- Votes: 10%
- Babies on Deck Night
  
  The Marauders celebrate midwifery at McKechnie Field
  
  In February, Pirates director of Florida operations Trevor Gooby delivered a baby during a stadium open house event. The Marauders commemorated this good deed with "Babies on Deck Night," highlighted by bobbleheads featuring Gooby triumphantly holding baby McKechnie, named after Bradenton's home park.
- Votes: 8%
- Tyler Seguin Speed Dating Night
  
  Spinners fans vie for face time with an eligible Boston bachelor
  
  Baby-faced Boston Bruins scoring sensation Tyler Seguin visited Lowell's LeLacheur Park so that fortunate female fans could compete for his affections via a series of inning-long "dates."
- Votes: 6%
- Loek Van Mil Growth Chart
  
  Giving young fans something to "Loek" up to in Little Rock
  
  Talk about impossibly high standards: The Travelers distributed growth charts featuring 7-foot-1 pitcher Loek Van Mil, a Netherlands native whose full name is Ludovicus Jacobus Maria Van Mil. He stood tall for the Travs in 2011, compiling a 2.04 ERA.
- Votes: 5%
- Six Months 'Til End of the World Night
  
  In which the Keys capitalize on our collective postmillennial angst
  
  With the Mayan calendar predicting the imminent end of humanity, the Keys decided to stage a post-apocalyptic celebration at the ballpark. Highlights included last meal eating contests, survival kit giveaways and zombie interns.
- Votes: 4%
- Presidential Seat Cushion Giveaway
  
  Allowing fans to vote with their posteriors in Stockton
  
  Adding a bit of levity to our divisive political landscape, the Ports handed out double-sided seat cushions featuring Obama on one side and Romney on the other. Fans sat on the face of the candidate they did not support -- now that's democracy!
- Votes: 4%
- 'What Might Have Been' Night
  
  An evening-long exploration of an alternate reality
  
  The runner-up in Northwest Arkansas' 2007 "Name the Team" contest was, somehow, "Thunder Chickens." On this unforgettable evening the team suited up as such, with ultra-limited Thunder Chicken gear available in the team store.
- Votes: 3%
- Float to the Ballpark
  
  Taking 'alternative transportation' to a whole new level in Missoula
  
  The Osprey took advantage of the natural beauty surrounding their stadium, offering fans the opportunity to take a leisurely two-hour raft trip on the Clark Fork River prior to a ballgame.
- Votes: 2%

- Bolt of Lightning at Frontier Field
  
  Credit: Morrie Silver
  
  In this photo submitted by a Red Wings press box assistant, a bolt of lightning from a thunderstorm touches down outside Frontier Field in Rochester N.Y., home of the Rochester Red Wings, in late July.
  
  View Photo »
- Votes: 40%
- Tourists celebrate a title
  
  Credit: Dano Keeney
  
  The Class A Asheville Tourists, a Rockies affiliate, leap on top of reliever Alex Gillingham after he picked up the final out to beat Greensboro, 10-4, to win the South Atlantic League championship on Sept. 14.
  
  View Photo »
- Votes: 9%
- Leaping at the keystone sack
  
  Credit: Kevin Pataky
  
  State College Spikes shortstop Chris Diaz gets some air while turning a double play in the first inning against the Connecticut Tigers at Dodd Stadium on July 26.
  
  View Photo »
- Votes: 7%
- Close play at the plate
  
  Credit: Rudy C. Jones
  
  Erie's John Murrian jumps out of the frame while attempting to avoid a tag at the plate by Trenton catcher Jeff Farnham on May 30. Murrian was called out after trying to score from second on Michael Rockett's single to right -- Zoilo Almonte made the throw home.
  
  View Photo »
- Votes: 5%
- Collision at the plate
  
  Credit: Tracy Proffitt
  
  Delmarva catcher Adam Davis lost his helmet and the ball when Hickory's Trever Adams barreled into him while trying to score on Drew Robinson's double in the first inning on July 7. Adams was safe, and Davis was charged with an error after Robinson advanced to third.
  
  View Photo »
- Votes: 5%
- Sliding into third
  
  Credit: Jessie Piecuch
  
  Williamsport's Diego Gonzalez manufactured a run in the first inning of the Crosscutters' 6-2 loss to Mahoning Valley on June 26 when he singled to start the game, stole second, dove safely into third on an error (pictured) and scored the game's first run on another error.
  
  View Photo »
- Votes: 5%
- Fake Umpire Gets Attacked
  
  Credit: Rudy C. Jones
  
  Trenton's Cam Fox, who owns the title of "Thunder Facilitator of Awesomeness," got creative on June 21 when he dressed up like an umpire and got attacked by some water bucket-toting mascots between innings of Trenton's 7-2 loss to Richmond.
  
  View Photo »
- Votes: 4%
- DeShields gets in an argument
  
  Credit: Jesse Piecuch
  
  Dayton Dragons manager and former Major Leaguer Delino DeShields argues with home plate umpire Ben Guttenberger after being ejected in the fifth inning of Dayton's 2-1 loss at Lake County. Dayton's Juan Perez had been caught stealing third moments before DeShields got tossed.
  
  View Photo »
- Votes: 3%
- Angelo Gumbs Lunges
  
  Credit: Charleston RiverDogs
  
  Charleston RiverDogs second baseman Angelo Gumbs makes a leaping mid-air catch on a blooper in shallow center field on May 5 against the Delmarva Shorebirds.
  
  View Photo »
- Votes: 2%
- Tag is just out of reach
  
  Credit: Kevin Pataky
  
  Erie SeaWolves catcher James McCann reaches to tag out New Britain's Nate Hansen after a dropped third strike in the fifth inning at New Britain Stadium on June 16.
  
  View Photo »
- Votes: 2%
- A dive comes up short
  
  Credit: Shari Sommerfeld
  
  Everett's Jean Acevedo comes up a little short as he dives for the ball in a rain-soaked left field on June 23 during the first game of the AquaSox's doubleheader with Spokane.
  
  View Photo »
- Votes: 1%
- A leap of hope but not of fruition
  
  Credit: Shari Sommerfeld
  
  Everett AquaSox center fielder Janelfry Zorrilla leaps high but can't quite get to a double hit off the wall by Tri-City's Miguel De Leon during the fourth inning on July 15.
  
  View Photo »
- Votes: 1%

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