Next up is the full season A-ball pitcher of the year, taking from the ranks of the Midwest, South Atlantic, California, Carolina, and Florida State Leagues. But as usual, the history first:

2018- Walter Borkovich (Staunton 2015)
2017- Mike O’Reilly (Woodstock 2014)
2016- James Reeves (Staunton 2013)
2015- Austin Gomber (Luray 2012)
2014- Chad Kuhl (New Market 2012)
2013- Greg Nappo (Haymarket 2010)
2012- Drew Granier (Harrisonburg 2009-10)
2011- Tyler Thornburg (Winchester 2008)
2010- Frank Gailey (New Market 2005-06)

This was the most hotly contested award this year, but the winner is…..

Thad Ward, for sure. Ward pitched for the Staunton Braves in 2016, and split his 2019 season between Greenville in the South Atlantic League and Salem in the Carolina League. In 25 games, all starts, he went 8-5, 2.14, with a 1.16 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9, and 11.2 K/9 in 126 1/3 innings pitched. He burst onto the scene with this season, and is now considered one of the Red Sox’s top prospects.

Others to Consider- so many! 

  • Brooks Wilson (Waynesboro 2015), for Florida in the Florida State League: 4-3, 2.47, 1.20 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9, 7.5 K/9 in 87 1/3 innings.
  • Chandler Raiden (New Market 2017), for Charlotte in the Florida State League: 6-4, 2.93, 9 saves, 1.16 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9, 7.2 K/9 in 55 1/3 innings.
  • Andrew Perez (Waynesboro 2017), split between Winston-Salem and Kannapolis: 2-5, 1.74, 3 saves, 1.37 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9, 11.5 K/9 in 67 1/3 innings.
  • Zach Neff (Waynesboro 2016), for Fort Myers and Cedar Rapids: 6-3, 2.97, 8 saves, 1.20 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9, 11.0 K/9 in 67 1/3 innings.
  • JT Hintzen (Woodstock 2016), for Carolina: 1-2, 3.20, 1 save, 1.28 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9, 10.7 K/9 in 64 2/3 innings.
  • Josh Green (Strasburg 2015), for Visalia: 9-1, 1.73, 1.05 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9, 8.0 K/9 in 78 innings.
  • Jonathan Bowlan (New Market 2016), for Lexington and Wilmington: 11-5, 3.14, 1 save, 0.99 WHIP, 1.4 BB/9, 9.3 K/9 in 146 innings.
  • Frank Rubio (Front Royal 2016), for San Jose: 2-1, 1.89, 7 saves, 1.07 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9. 9.6 K/9 in 47 2/3 innings pitched.
  • Tad Ratliff (Charlottesville 2015), for Wilmington: 3-3, 2.81, 23 saves, 1.19 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9, 9.7 K/9 in 51 1/3 innings.
  • Nate Pearson (Staunton 2015), only six starts for Dunedin: 3-0, 0.86, 0.62 WHIP, 1.3 BB/9, 15.0 K/9 in 21 innings.
  • Randy Dobnak (Front Royal 2015), four starts for Fort Myers: 3-0, 0.40, 0.99 WHIP, 1.6 BB/9, 5.7 K/9 in 22 1/3 innings.
Ward