Carolina League Most Valuable Player Award Explained

Carolina League
Most Valuable Player Award
Sport:Baseball
League:Carolina League
Givenfor:Regular-season most valuable player of the Carolina League
Country:United States
Presenter:Carolina League
First:Lewis Hester (1948)
Mostwins:Bubba Smith (2)
Mostrecent:Jaison Chourio (2024)

The Carolina League Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) is an annual award given to the best player in Minor League Baseball's Carolina League based on their regular-season performance as voted on by league managers.[1] League broadcasters, Minor League Baseball executives, and members of the media have previously voted as well.[2] Though the league was established in 1945,[3] the award was not created until 1948.[4] After the cancellation of the 2020 season,[5] the league was known as the in 2021 before reverting to the Carolina League name in 2022.[6] [7]

Twenty-six outfielders have won the MVP Award, the most of any position. First basemen, with 21 winners, have won the most among infielders, followed by third basemen (9), shortstops (5), and second basemen (3). Eight catchers and four pitchers have also won the award.

Three players who have won the MVP Award also won the Carolina League Top MLB Prospect Award in the same season: Jackson Chourio (2022), Samuel Basallo (2023), and Jaison Chourio (2024).[8] [9] [10] From 1948 to 1978, pitchers were eligible to win the MVP Award as no award was designated for pitchers. In 1959, the Carolina League established a Pitcher of the Year Award.[4] The only player to win the MVP Award on multiple occasions is Bubba Smith, who won back-to-back in 1992 and 1993.

Fourteen players from the Lynchburg Hillcats have been selected for the MVP Award, more than any other team in the league, followed by the Winston-Salem Dash (10); the Salem Red Sox (8); the Peninsula Pilots (6); the Kinston Indians (5); the High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms (4); the Carolina Mudcats, Durham Bulls, Frederick Keys, Greensboro Yankees, Kinston Eagles, Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Potomac Nationals, Raleigh Pirates, Reidsville Luckies, and Wilson Tobs (2); and the Burlington Bees, Charleston RiverDogs, Danville Leafs, Delmarva Shorebirds, Fayetteville A's, Raleigh-Durham Triangles, Tidewater Tides, Wilmington Blue Rocks, and Winston-Salem Cardinals (1).

Eleven players from the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball (MLB) organization have won the award, more than any other, followed by the Cleveland Guardians organization (8); the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, and Philadelphia Phillies organizations (6); the New York Mets organization (5); the Baltimore Orioles organization (4); the Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals organizations (3); the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and Milwaukee Brewers organizations (2); and the Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, and Washington Nationals organizations (1). Three award winners played for teams that were not affiliated with any MLB organization.

Winners

Position
Indicates the player's primary position
Number of wins by players who won the award multiple times
Year!scope="col"
WinnerTeamOrganizationPosition
1948Reidsville Luckies—Pitcher[11]
1949Reidsville Luckies—First baseman[12]
1950Burlington Bees—Outfielder[13]
1951Winston-Salem CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThird baseman[14]
1952Fayetteville A'sPhiladelphia AthleticsPitcher[15]
1953Danville LeafsNew York GiantsPitcher[16]
1954Greensboro PatriotsBoston Red SoxCatcher[17]
1955High Point-Thomasville Hi-TomsCincinnati RedlegsOutfielder[18]
1956High Point-Thomasville Hi-TomsCincinnati RedlegsOutfielder[19]
1957High Point-Thomasville Hi-TomsPhiladelphia PhilliesOutfielder[20]
1958Wilson TobsBaltimore OriolesOutfielder[21]
1959Raleigh CapitalsBoston Red SoxSecond baseman[22]
1960Winston-Salem Red BirdsSt. Louis CardinalsThird baseman[23]
1961Wilson TobsMinnesota TwinsOutfielder[24]
1962Durham BullsHouston Colt .45sFirst baseman[25]
1963Kinston EaglesPittsburgh PiratesCatcher[26]
1964Tidewater TidesChicago White SoxOutfielder[27]
1965Greensboro YankeesNew York YankeesShortstop[28]
1966Winston-Salem Red SoxBoston Red SoxPitcher[29]
1967Raleigh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesShortstop[30]
1968High Point-Thomasville Hi-TomsNew York YankeesFirst baseman[31]
1969Salem RebelsPittsburgh PiratesFirst baseman[32]
1970Raleigh-Durham TrianglesHouston AstrosCatcher[33]
1971Peninsula PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesOutfielder[34]
1972Salem PiratesPittsburgh PiratesOutfielder[35]
1973Kinston EaglesNew York YankeesOutfielder[36]
1974Salem PiratesPittsburgh PiratesOutfielder[37]
1975Salem PiratesPittsburgh PiratesOutfielder[38]
1976Lynchburg MetsNew York MetsFirst baseman[39]
1977Salem PiratesPittsburgh PiratesOutfielder[40]
1978Peninsula PilotsPhiladelphia PhilliesCatcher[41]
1979Peninsula PilotsPhiladelphia PhilliesOutfielder[42]
1980Peninsula PilotsPhiladelphia PhilliesShortstop[43]
1981Durham BullsAtlanta BravesOutfielder[44]
1982Peninsula PilotsPhiladelphia PhilliesSecond baseman[45]
1983Lynchburg MetsNew York MetsOutfielder[46]
1984Lynchburg MetsNew York MetsCatcher[47]
1985Lynchburg MetsNew York MetsOutfielder[48]
1986Lynchburg MetsNew York MetsShortstop[49]
1987Kinston IndiansCleveland IndiansThird baseman[50]
1988Lynchburg Red SoxBoston Red SoxOutfielder[51]
1989Lynchburg Red SoxBoston Red SoxOutfielder[52]
1990Winston-Salem SpiritsChicago CubsThird baseman[53]
1991Winston-Salem SpiritsChicago CubsThird baseman[54]
1992Peninsula PilotsSeattle MarinersFirst baseman[55]
1993Winston-Salem SpiritsCincinnati RedsFirst baseman
1994Wilmington Blue RocksKansas City RoyalsFirst baseman[56]
1995Kinston IndiansCleveland IndiansFirst baseman[57]
1996Lynchburg HillcatsPittsburgh PiratesOutfielder[58]
1997Lynchburg HillcatsPittsburgh PiratesThird baseman[59]
1998Winston-Salem WarthogsChicago White SoxThird baseman[60]
1999Myrtle Beach PelicansAtlanta BravesSecond baseman[61]
2000Potomac CannonsSt. Louis CardinalsFirst baseman[62]
2001Kinston IndiansCleveland IndiansCatcher[63]
2002Salem AvalancheColorado RockiesFirst baseman[64]
2003Lynchburg HillcatsPittsburgh PiratesFirst baseman[65]
2004Lynchburg HillcatsPittsburgh PiratesFirst baseman[66]
2005Winston-Salem WarthogsChicago White SoxFirst baseman[67]
2006Kinston IndiansCleveland IndiansOutfielder[68]
2007Salem AvalancheHouston AstrosOutfielder[69]
2008Kinston IndiansCleveland IndiansFirst baseman[70]
2009Frederick KeysBaltimore OriolesFirst baseman[71]
2010Potomac NationalsWashington NationalsFirst baseman[72]
2011Winston-Salem DashChicago White SoxFirst baseman[73]
2012Winston-Salem DashChicago White SoxFirst baseman[74]
2013Winston-Salem DashChicago White SoxShortstop[75]
2014Myrtle Beach PelicansTexas RangersThird baseman[76]
2015Lynchburg HillcatsCleveland IndiansFirst baseman[77]
2016Lynchburg HillcatsCleveland IndiansFirst baseman[78]
2017Frederick KeysBaltimore OriolesOutfielder[79]
2018Salem Red SoxBoston Red SoxThird baseman[80]
2019Carolina MudcatsMilwaukee BrewersCatcher[81]
2020
2021Charleston RiverDogsTampa Bay RaysOutfielder[82] [83]
2022Carolina MudcatsMilwaukee BrewersOutfielder[84]
2023Delmarva ShorebirdsBaltimore OriolesCatcher[85]
2024Lynchburg HillcatsCleveland GuardiansOutfielder[86]

Wins by team

Active Carolina League teams appear in bold.

TeamAward(s)Year(s)
Lynchburg Hillcats (Lynchburg Mets/Red Sox)141976, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2004, 2015, 2016, 2024
Winston-Salem Dash (Winston-Salem Red Brids/Red Sox/Spirits/Warthogs)101960, 1966, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1998, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2013
Salem Red Sox (Salem Rebels/Pirates/Avalanche)81969, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1977, 2002, 2007, 2018
Peninsula Pilots (Peninsula Phillies)61971, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1992
Kinston Indians51987, 1995, 2001, 2006, 2008
High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms41955, 1956, 1957, 1968
Carolina Mudcats22019, 2022
Durham Bulls1962, 1981
Frederick Keys2009, 2017
Greensboro Yankees (Greensboro Patriots)1954, 1965
Kinston Eagles1963, 1973
Myrtle Beach Pelicans1999, 2014
Potomac Nationals (Potomac Cannons)2000, 2010
Raleigh Pirates (Raleigh Capitals)1959, 1967
Reidsville Luckies1948, 1949
Wilson Tobs1958, 1961
Burlington Bees11950
Charleston RiverDogs2021
Danville Leafs1953
Delmarva Shorebirds2023
Fayetteville A's1952
Raleigh-Durham Triangles1970
Tidewater Tides1964
Wilmington Blue Rocks1994
Winston-Salem Cardinals1951

Wins by organization

Active Carolina League–Major League Baseball affiliations appear in bold.

OrganizationAward(s)Year(s)
Pittsburgh Pirates111963, 1967, 1969, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2004
Cleveland Guardians (Cleveland Indians)81987, 1995, 2001, 2006, 2008, 2015, 2016, 2024
Boston Red Sox61954, 1959, 1966, 1988, 1989, 2018
Chicago White Sox1964, 1998, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2013
Philadelphia Phillies1957, 1971, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982
New York Mets51976, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986
Baltimore Orioles41958, 2009, 2017, 2023
Cincinnati Reds (Cincinnati Redlegs)31955, 1956, 1993
Houston Astros (Houston Colt .45s)1962, 1970, 2007
New York Yankees1965, 1968, 1973
St. Louis Cardinals1951, 1960, 2000
Atlanta Braves21981, 1999
Chicago Cubs1990, 1991
Milwaukee Brewers2019, 2022
Colorado Rockies12002
Kansas City Royals1994
Minnesota Twins1961
Oakland Athletics (Philadelphia Athletics)1952
San Francisco Giants (New York Giants)1953
Seattle Mariners1992
Tampa Bay Rays2021
Texas Rangers2014
Washington Nationals2010

References

Specific

General

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jackson. Josh. Single-A Award Winners and All-Stars. Minor League Baseball. November 10, 2022. October 11, 2024.
  2. Web site: Harrigan. Thomas. MiLB's Low-A Award Winners and All-Stars. Major League Baseball. October 8, 2021. October 11, 2024.
  3. Web site: Terranova. Rob. Then and Now: Carolina League. Minor League Baseball. April 4, 2022. October 11, 2024.
  4. Web site: Carolina League Award Winners. Carolina League. Minor League Baseball. October 14, 2024. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20210731210827/https://www.milb.com/carolina-league/history/award-winners. July 31, 2021.
  5. Web site: 2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved. Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. July 1, 2020.
  6. Web site: Reichard . Kevin . Minor League Baseball Overhaul Unveiled. Ballpark Digest. February 12, 2021. February 13, 2021.
  7. Web site: Historical League Names to Return in 2022. Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. March 16, 2022.
  8. Web site: 2022 Postseason All-Stars . Minor League Baseball . October 11, 2024 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211010190649/https://www.milb.com/fans/postseason-all-stars . October 10, 2021.
  9. Web site: 2023 Postseason All-Stars . Minor League Baseball . October 11, 2024 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211010190649/https://www.milb.com/fans/postseason-all-stars . October 10, 2021.
  10. Web site: Jackson. Josh. Check Out the 2024 Single-A All-Stars and Award Winners. Minor League Baseball. September 18, 2024. October 11, 2024.
  11. Web site: Lewis Hester Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  12. Web site: Muscle Shoals Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  13. Web site: William Evans Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  14. Web site: Ray Jablonski Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  15. Web site: Len Matarazzo Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  16. Web site: Ramón Monzant Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  17. Web site: Guy Morton Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  18. Web site: Danny Morejón Minor, Winter & Mexican Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  19. Web site: Curt Flood Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  20. Web site: Fred Van Dusen Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  21. Web site: Fred Valentine Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  22. Web site: Carl Yastrzemski Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  23. Web site: Ed Olivares Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  24. Web site: Chuck Weatherspoon Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  25. Web site: Rusty Staub Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  26. Web site: Jim Price Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  27. Web site: Ed Stroud Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  28. Web site: Bobby Murcer Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  29. Web site: Rob Snow Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  30. Web site: Don Money Minor, Winter & Japanese Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  31. Web site: Tony Solaita Minor, Winter & Japanese Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  32. Web site: Lou Quinn Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  33. Web site: Cliff Johnson Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  34. Web site: Richard Giallella Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  35. Web site: Dave Parker Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  36. Web site: Terry Whitfield Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  37. Web site: Miguel Diloné Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  38. Web site: Luther Wrenn Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  39. Web site: Marshall Brant Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  40. Web site: Oswaldo Olivares Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  41. Web site: Ozzie Virgil Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  42. Web site: Bob Dernier Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  43. Web site: Julio Franco Minor, Japanese, Mexican, Korean & Independent Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  44. Web site: Brad Komminsk Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  45. Web site: Juan Samuel Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  46. Web site: Lenny Dykstra Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  47. Web site: Barry Lyons Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  48. Web site: Shawn Abner Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  49. Web site: Gregg Jefferies Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  50. Web site: Casey Webster Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  51. Web site: Mickey Pina Minor, Mexican & Independent Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  52. Web site: Phil Plantier Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  53. Web site: Gary Scott Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  54. Web site: Pedro Castellano Minor, Japanese, Mexican & Winter Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  55. Web site: Bubba Smith Minor, Mexican, Korean, Independent & Winter Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  56. Web site: Larry Sutton Minor & Korean Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  57. Web site: Richie Sexson Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  58. Web site: José Guillén Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  59. Web site: Aramis Ramírez Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  60. Web site: Joe Crede Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  61. Web site: Marcus Giles Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  62. Web site: Troy Farnsworth Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  63. Web site: Víctor Martínez Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  64. Web site: Brad Hawpe Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  65. Web site: Chris Shelton Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  66. Web site: Brad Eldred Minor, Winter, Fall & Japanese Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  67. Web site: Leo Daigle Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  68. Web site: Jordan Brown Minor, Winter & Mexican Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  69. Web site: Mitch Einertson Minor, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  70. Web site: Beau Mills Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  71. Web site: Brandon Waring Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  72. Web site: Tyler Moore Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  73. Web site: Ian Gac Minor, Winter, Independent & Mexican Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  74. Web site: Dan Black Minor, Winter, Korean & Mexican Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  75. Web site: Chris Curley Minor, Independent & Winter Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  76. Web site: Joey Gallo Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  77. Web site: Nellie Rodriguez Minor, Winter, Mexican & Independent Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  78. Web site: Bobby Bradley Minor, Fall, Winter, Independent & Mexican Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  79. Web site: Ademar Rifaela Minor, Winter, Independent & Mexican Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  80. Web site: Bobby Dalbec Amateur, College, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  81. Web site: Mario Feliciano Winter, Minor, Fall, Mexican & Independent Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  82. Web site: Diego Infante Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  83. Web site: 2021 Postseason All-Stars . Minor League Baseball . October 11, 2024 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211010190649/https://www.milb.com/fans/postseason-all-stars . October 10, 2021.
  84. Web site: Jackson Chourio Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  85. Web site: Samuel Basallo Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.
  86. Web site: Jaison Chourio Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. October 11, 2024.

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