The next offseason series we have is the hitter and pitcher of the year from each minor league level. It will be a total of 12 articles, taking a look at the best Valley League alumni all the way from Rookie ball to the major leagues. It will look a little different from past years since MLB restructured the minor leagues, but we will still have the best hitter and pitcher from Rookie ball, Low-A, High-A, Double-A, Triple-A, and from, of course, the major leagues. (A-Ball used to be structured as “short season” and “full season.”)

We’ll start with previous Rookie-Level winners back through 2010. This year’s winner was selected from the Arizona and Florida Complex Leagues.

2019- Will Guay (Purcellville, Winchester 2018)
2018- Brooks Wilson (Waynesboro 2015)
2017- Keenan Bartlett (Winchester 2015)
2016- Jim McDade (Strasburg 2013)
2015- Keegan Long (Front Royal 2014)
2014- Trey Cochran-Gill (Harrisonburg 2012)
2013- Pete Kelich (Haymarket 2011)
2012- Justin Thompson (Waynesboro 2010)
2011- Jeremiah Meiners (Covington 2008)
2010- Tim Boyce (New Market 2007)

The 2021 Rookie Level Pitcher of the Year is former Harrisonburg Turk (2019) Hunter Dula.

Out of Wingate, Dula was picked in the 18th round of the 2021 draft by the San Francisco Giants. He was assigned to the Arizona Complex League after signing, where he appeared in ten games, going 0-1, 1.80, with one save, a 1.000 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9, and 15.3 K/9 in ten innings.

Others to Consider

  • Alaska Abney (Charlottesville 2019): Indians of the ACL: 0-0, 0.00, one save, six K’s in five innings
  • Alex Ayala (Charlottsville 2021): Rays of the FCL: 0-0, 0.00, ten K’s in 5 2/3 innings
  • Peyton Glavine (Charlottesville 2019): Nationals of the FCL: 1-0, 3.00, 12 K’s in nine innings
  • Anthony Simonelli (Winchester 2018): Royals of the ACL: 1-0, 0.93, nine K’s in 9 2/3 innings