The Boston Red Sox minor league season is over, and they wasted little time handing out their organizational awards. They gave out six honors to prospects, and Chris Cotillo of MassLive took to social media to share the winners.
Boston had an eventful minor league season. It felt like it got more major league debuts than usual, and a few massive risers (which is becoming commonplace in this system). The casual fan will have heard the names of some award winners, but there are a few others who should enter the radar.
Left-handed pitcher Payton Tolle unsurprisingly took home the Pitcher of the Year honors. The 2024 second-round pick made his minor league debut in April, all the way down in High-A with the Greenville Drive. He made his big league debut in August, and it was certainly memorable, as he kept pace with sure-fire National League Cy Young winner, Paul Skenes.
Tolle posted a 3.04 ERA, .203 BAA, and 0.99 WHIP in 91 2/3 innings between High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A. He racked up 133 strikeouts compared to just 23 walks. Any other year, Connelly Early might have won. Tolle is inhuman, though.
Red Sox announce their minor league award winners for the 2025 season, including Payton Tolle and Jhostynxon Garcia
Offensive player of the year was another unsurprising choice in Jhostynxon Garcia. The right-handed hitting outfielder started off slow in Double-A, but took off at the plate after being promoted to Triple-A. He finished the year slashing .267/.340/.470 with 17 doubles, four triples, and 21 home runs between the two levels.
Garcia drove in 75 runs, scored 79 more, and stole seven bases. He even got a taste of the majors this year. His 21 home runs led the minor league system. It was his second straight year with over 20 homers.
Four members of the 2025 Sea Dogs earn Red Sox Minor League Awards.
— Portland Sea Dogs (@PortlandSeaDogs) September 26, 2025
-Payton Tolle: Pitcher of the Year
-Jhostynxon Garcia- Offensive Player of the Year
-Ahbram Liendo- Defensive Player of the Year
-Miguel Bleis- Baserunner of the Yearhttps://t.co/EkHQGqLNVC pic.twitter.com/pxB1GP9nae
Defensive player of the year has gone to Ahbram Liendo, and this was the first award where it really felt like there was some competition. No one would’ve blamed the Red Sox if Nelly Taylor won, but it’s impossible to be mad at them for going with Liendo.
The 21-year-old played second base, third base, shortstop, and 10 2/3 innings in center field in Double-A this year. He limits errors while consistently making highlight plays. You couldn’t go more than three days without Liendo robbing someone of a hit. His ability to look like the best defender on the field, no matter where he was playing, was special.
Baserunner of the year came as a bit of a surprise. Miguel Bleis is great, but I would have Liendo and Max Ferguson ahead of him. Still, Bleis has fantastic speed and uses it well. He stole 27 bases in 33 attempts between High-A and Double-A and possessed a knack for taking extra bases when the defense fell asleep.
Latin program position player of the year was Josue Brito, and the pitcher of the year was Angelo Ladera. It's hard to know much about them, as we don’t have broadcasts of their games and don’t even get highlights out of these camps outside of some special occasions.
Brito played first base, second base, left field, and right field. He even pitched 3 2/3 innings. The right-handed hitter slashed .284/.497/.606 with eight doubles and nine home runs in the DSL. He drove in 30 runs, scored 31 more, and stole 13 bases in 43 games.
Ladera posted a 2.20 ERA, .164 BAA, and 1.01 WHIP in 12 games (three starts) in the DSL. The right-handed pitcher struck out 36 batters and walked 15 in 32 2/3 innings.