Ahh, remember the good old days? This award would be given to the best Valley League alumnus from the South Atlantic League, Midwest League, California League, Carolina League, etc… now it’s the best pitcher from Low-A East, Low-A West, and Low-A Southeast. Just doesn’t seem the same. And remember when we had “Short-Season” Leagues?

Anyway, I suppose this is the inaugural Low-A award… and it is presented to Brooks Crawford, who was plying his trade for San Jose, in Low-A West. Crawford, who pitched for Charlottesville in 2016, was drafted by San Francisco in 2019. He was incredible out of the bullpen in 2021, going 6-1, 1.96 in 46 innings, with four saves, a 0.98 WHIP, 1.4 BB/9, and 11.2 K/9. For those scoring at home, that’s only seven walks and 57 strikeouts in those 46 innings! Any way you slice it, he had a tremendous year.

Others to Consider

  • Ryan Watson (Front Royal 2017): Delmarva: 3-1, 2.14, 0.92 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9, 10.7 K/9 in 33 2/3 innings
  • Zach Mort (Front Royal 2016): Carolina: 4-1, 4.40, 1.16 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9, 12.4 K/9 in 32 2/3 innings
  • Ben Dum (Strasburg 2016-17): Augusta: 1-1, 3.68, 3 saves, 1.28 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9, 9.3 K/9 in 36 2/3 innings
  • Keegan James (Strasburg 2016): Fresno: 3-1, 3.83, 1.26 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9, 9.5 K/9 in 49 1/3 innings
  • Peyton Plumlee (Strasburg 2016): Fayetteville: 2-2, 3.94, 1.11 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9, 10.3 K/9 in 29 2/3 innings
  • Anthony Zimmerman (Purcellville 2018): Daytona: 2-0, 2.57, 3 saves, 1.19 WHIP, 4.3 BB/9, 13.3 K/9 in 21 innings (For some reason, Zimmerman was released in November)
  • Blake Goldsberry (Waynesboro 2017): Fresno: 5-1, 3.07, 1.11 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9, 8.1 K/9 in 32 1/3 innings
  • Zach Peek (Strasburg 2017): Delmarva: 2-3, 4.37, 1.41 WHIP, 4.2 BB/9, 12.7 K/9 in 45 1/3 innings
  • Carson Spiers (Charlottesville 2017): Daytona: 2-0, 3.17, 1.06 WHIP, 1.98 BB/9, 10.7 K/9 in 22 2/3 innings