It's officially June. That means it's time to hand out some awards for the Boston Red Sox minor league system for the month of May.
Just like last month, we'll be handing out awards for the top starting pitcher, relief pitcher, offensive player, defensive player, and baserunner of the month.
The players listed here must have prospect status, but outside of that, there are no other specific rules. It was a busy month, so let's not waste any more time and jump right in.
Red Sox Minor League Awards for May: Top prospect, newly-promoted slugger recognized
Dedgar Jimenez Award (starting pitcher of the month)
Winner: Eduardo Rivera
Runner-ups: Payton Tolle, Yordanny Monegro, Connelly Early
There were a few elite pitchers in Boston's farm system this May. The strikeouts were particularly kind to some of them. No one managed to duplicate Eduardo Rivera's May, though. The left-handed pitcher made four appearances (three starts). He posted a 2.50 ERA, .085 BAA, and 0.89 WHIP with 29 strikeouts compared to 11 walks in 18 innings.
Rivera had some issues with the walks, posting at least two in all four outings. However, he allowed just five hits all month (four coming in his last appearance, which was coincidentally the only non-start). The 21-year-old is looking like a fantastic find from the Red Sox.
Joan Martinez Award (relief pitcher of the month)
Winner: Adam Smith
Runner-ups: Shea Sprague, Michael Sansone, Manuel Medina, Eybersson Polanco, Isaac Stebens, Jonathan Brand
Adam Smith had some tough competition this month (especially from Shea Sprague), but he was too dominant to ignore. The right-handed pitcher made seven appearances in May, all out of the bullpen. He let up just one run in 15 innings this month. The 24-year-old went 1-0 and was a perfect 2-for-2 in save opportunities.
Smith had a pretty brutal April but has gotten his season back on track thanks to a nearly flawless month.
Chih-Hsien Chiang Award (offensive player of the month)
Winner: Blaze Jordan
Runner-ups: Franklin Arias, Freili Encarnacion, Zach Ehrhard, Roman Anthony, Brooks Brannon
Roman Anthony is Roman Anthony. Zach Ehrhard dominated despite his numbers dipping since being promoted to Double-A. Brooks Brannon is riding a ridiculous hot streak. Freili Encarnacion is a top-five hitter in the Carolina League. Franklin Arias slashed .404/.438/.576 in May, and he's not winning the award. That's ridiculous.
Blaze Jordan slashed .390/.490/.671 with five doubles and six home runs. The right-handed hitting first baseman/third baseman drove in 24 runs, scored 18 more, and stole three bases. He walked more times (18) than he struck out (11).
Jordan's month led to him leading Portland in average, OBP, slugging percentage, doubles, home runs, runs batted in, and runs scored. That's more than deserving of a promotion to Triple-A.
Deiner Lopez Award (defensive player of the month)
Winner: Franklin Arias
Runner-ups: Blaze Jordan, Fraymi De Leon, Ahbram Liendo, Jhostynxon Garcia, Nelly Taylor
Jordan definitely deserves some extra love here. He has become a plus-plus defensive first baseman. However, Arias makes it look way too easy. He doesn't look like a 19-year-old in High-A. Instead, he looks like a 28-year-old veteran with multiple Gold Gloves.
Arias makes flashy plays at shortstop, absolutely. But what's more impressive is just how fluid he always looks. He makes routine plays look boring, and he makes difficult plays look routine. Arias appears to have the footwork, range, glove, and arm to become a top-tier defensive everyday shortstop.
Arias was the top runner-up for the Offensive Prospect of the Month, and he takes home the Defensive Prospect of the Month award. It's getting nearly impossible to temper expectations.
Danny Mars Award (baserunner of the month)
Winner: Nelly Taylor
Runner-ups: Starlyn Nunez, Miguel Bleis, Zach Ehrhard, Ahbram Liendo, Max Ferguson, Fraymi De Leon
Nelly Taylor stole 10 bases in May. That itself is impressive, but Taylor is also just a great baserunner outside of the stolen bases.
The 22-year-old has plus speed, which leads to his ability to steal bags and stretch extra bases. However, he also has the instincts needed to make the right play. Taylor doesn't make many baserunning mistakes.
His ability to get on base and use his speed to move around the basepaths. Those skills helped him pick up 23 runs scored in May.