Gerardo Carrillo Earns HOME Award for Pitcher of the Year
RENO, Nev. – Every year, the Reno Aces front office awards four of its players a HOME award to recognize their efforts throughout the season. This year, they were handed out on Sunday, September 13 and the 2026 Pitcher of the Year is Gerardo Carrillo.
RENO, Nev. – Every year, the Reno Aces front office awards four of its players a HOME award to recognize their efforts throughout the season. This year, they were handed out on Sunday, September 13 and the 2026 Pitcher of the Year is Gerardo Carrillo.
Our 2026 HOME Award Winners 🏆
— Reno Aces (@Aces) September 13, 2026
To wrap up our 2026 schedule at home, we are excited to announce our annual HOME Award Winners:
Player of the Year: LuJames Groover
Pitcher of the Year: Gerardo Carrillo
Fan Favorite: Kristian Robinson
Clubhouse Captain: Tommy Henry pic.twitter.com/uSIOEQMp6E
Carrillo was as tough as nails in the back end of the bullpen for the Aces, converting 7-of-10 (70.0 percent) of his save opportunities in 2026. Those seven saves matched his previous career high from last season when he also secured seven saves with the Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles.
This season was different for the Guadalajara, Mexico native, who had to overcome a tough stretch to start the year. Once Carrillo found his stride, he never looked back as he worked 13 straight scoreless appearances from June 16 through Sept. 11. That made Carrillo just the eighth pitcher in team history to notch 12 consecutive shutout appearances.
In that time, Carrillo tossed 15.1 innings and allowed just six hits, four walks, and hit one batter while striking out 24 of the 56 total batters he faced (42.9 percent).
That stretch also sandwiched Carrillo’s MLB debut, as he had his contract selected and made his debut in Arizona against the Athletics on July 22. In that contest Carrillo worked two innings, allowing one run on three hits with his first Major League strikeout coming against Donovan Walton.
What an incredible journey for Gerardo 🥹
— Reno Aces (@Aces) July 22, 2026
The @dbacks have recalled RHP Gerardo Carrillo from Triple-A Reno!
After signing with the Dodgers over 10 years ago, Carrillo is on the cusp of his MLB debut!@milb | #Aceball pic.twitter.com/QqsgYTQr6O
Following his debut, Carrillo did not allow an earned run in any of his next nine MLB games, a stretch that spanned 14.1 innings. From June 1 through Aug. 20, Carrillo made 23 appearances between Reno and Arizona, and posted the lowest ERA among all pitchers with 30 or more innings.
The June portion of Carrillo’s Triple-A season was nothing short of amazing, as he allowed only two runs on four hits in 12 innings for a 1.50 ERA. In nine games he punched out 20 total batters, ending the month with a 41.7 percent strikeout rate which was third highest among all PCL relievers with three or more games.
Included in that effort were two perfect innings in which he struck out three on June 23 against Oklahoma City, making him the third Aces reliever to achieve the feat in 2026 and just the fifth since the start of 2025.
By year’s end, Carrillo’s 87 total strikeouts ranked as the 18th most in the Arizona organization (excluding Rookie league), 66 of which came with Reno to stand as the sixth most on the Aces this season. In a fitting end to the year, Carrillo recorded eight of his last nine outs of the year with a strikeout.
When entering the game late with a lead, or anytime that he entered the game, fans could count on Carrillo and his strikeout stuff to hold opponents in check.
The Reno Aces’ 2027 home opener is set for Tuesday, March 30 as they host the Tacoma Rainiers, Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Season tickets are currently on sale – for more information, fans can visit RenoAces.com or call (775) 334-7000.