Eastern League Most Valuable Player Award Explained

Eastern League Most Valuable Player Award
Sport:	Baseball
League:	Eastern League
Givenfor:	Regular-season most valuable player of the Eastern League
Country:	United States Canada
Presenter:	Eastern League
First:	Jim Ray Hart (1962)
Mostrecent:	Kristian Campbell (2024)

The Eastern League Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) is an annual award given to the best player in Minor League Baseball's Eastern League based on their regular-season performance as voted on by league managers.^[1] League broadcasters, Minor League Baseball executives, and members of the media have previously voted as well.^[2] Though the league was established in 1938,^[3] the award was not created until 1962.^[4] After the cancellation of the 2020 season,^[5] the league was known as the Double-A Northeast in 2021 before reverting to the Eastern League name in 2022.^{[6] [7]}

Twenty-two outfielders have won the MVP Award, the most of any position. First basemen, with 18 winners, have won the most among infielders, followed by third basemen (9), second basemen (3), and shortstops (2). Five catchers and three pitchers have also won the award.

Eleven players who have won the MVP Award have also won the Eastern League Top MLB Prospect Award (formerly the Rookie of the Year Award) in the same season: Cliff Floyd (1993), Mark Grudzielanek (1994), Jay Payton (1995), Vladimir Guerrero (1996), Calvin Pickering (1998), Marlon Byrd (2001), Ryan Howard (2004), Jordan Brown (2007), Brandon Laird (2010), Darin Ruf (2012), and Cavan Biggio (2018).^[4] From 1964 to 1984, pitchers were eligible to win the MVP Award as no award was designated for pitchers. In 1985, the Eastern League established a Pitcher of the Year Award.^[4]

Eight players from the Reading Fightin Phils have been selected for the MVP Award, more than any other team in the league, followed by the Harrisburg Senators (6); the Chesapeake Baysox (4); the Akron RubberDucks, Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Glens Falls Tigers, and New Hampshire Fisher Cats (3); the Elmira Pioneers, Erie SeaWolves, Pittsfield Cubs, Pittsfield Red Sox, Portland Sea Dogs, Trenton Thunder, Trois-Rivières Aigles, and West Haven A's (2); and the Albany-Colonie Yankees, Altoona Curve, Berkshire Brewers, Buffalo Bisons, Charleston Indians, Holyoke Millers, New Britain Red Sox, New Haven Ravens, Pittsfield Rangers, Sherbrooke Pirates, Somerset Patriots, Springfield Giants, Thetford Mines Pirates, Waterbury Indians, Williamsport Mets, and York Pirates (1).

Eight players from the Philadelphia Phillies Major League Baseball (MLB) organization have won the award, more than any other, followed by the Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates organizations (6); the Cleveland Guardians, New York Yankees, and Washington Nationals organizations (5); the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and Toronto Blue Jays organizations (4); the Detroit Tigers organization (3); the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, and Milwaukee Brewers organizations (2); and the Miami Marlins, Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, and Texas Rangers organizations (1).

Winners

Position

Indicates the player's primary position

Year!scope="col"

Winner	Team	Organization	Position
1962		Springfield Giants	San Francisco Giants	Third baseman	^[8]
1963		Charleston Indians	Cleveland Indians	First baseman	^[9]
1964		Elmira Pioneers	Baltimore Orioles	Pitcher	^[10]
1965		Pittsfield Red Sox	Boston Red Sox	Catcher	^[11]
1966		Elmira Pioneers	Baltimore Orioles	Pitcher	^[12]
1967		Williamsport Mets	New York Mets	Outfielder	^[13]
1968		Pittsfield Red Sox	Boston Red Sox	Third baseman	^[14]
1969		York Pirates	Pittsburgh Pirates	Outfielder	^[15]
1970		Reading Phillies	Philadelphia Phillies	First baseman	^[16]
1971		Trois-Rivières Aigles	Cincinnati Reds	Outfielder	^[17]
1972		Sherbrooke Pirates	Pittsburgh Pirates	Third baseman	^[18]
1973		Pittsfield Rangers	Texas Rangers	First baseman	^[19]
1974		Thetford Mines Pirates	Pittsburgh Pirates	Catcher	^[20]
1975		West Haven Yankees	New York Yankees	First baseman	^[21]
1976		Berkshire Brewers	Milwaukee Brewers	Outfielder	^[22]
1977		Trois-Rivières Aigles	Cincinnati Reds	First baseman	^[23]
1978		Holyoke Millers	Milwaukee Brewers	Outfielder	^[24]
1979		Buffalo Bisons	Pittsburgh Pirates	Outfielder	^[25]
1980		Reading Phillies	Philadelphia Phillies	Pitcher	^[26]
1981		Glens Falls White Sox	Chicago White Sox	Outfielder	^[27]
1982		West Haven A's	Oakland Athletics	Outfielder	^[28]
1983		Reading Phillies	Philadelphia Phillies	Outfielder	^[29]
1984		Glens Falls White Sox	Chicago White Sox	First baseman	^[30]
1985		Waterbury Indians	Cleveland Indians	Third baseman	^[31]
1986		Pittsfield Cubs	Chicago Cubs	Outfielder	^[32]
1987				First baseman	^[33]
1988		Glens Falls Tigers	Detroit Tigers	Outfielder	^[34]
1989		Harrisburg Senators	Pittsburgh Pirates	Outfielder	^[35]
1990		New Britain Red Sox	Boston Red Sox	Third baseman	^[36]
1991		Harrisburg Senators	Montreal Expos	Second baseman	^[37]
1992		Albany-Colonie Yankees	New York Yankees	Third baseman	^[38]
1993		Harrisburg Senators	Montreal Expos	First baseman	^[39]
1994				Shortstop	^[40]
1995		Binghamton Mets	New York Mets	Outfielder	^[41]
1996		Harrisburg Senators	Montreal Expos	Outfielder	^[42]
1997		Portland Sea Dogs	Florida Marlins	First baseman	^[43]
1998		Bowie Baysox	Baltimore Orioles	First baseman	^[44]
1999		Harrisburg Senators	Montreal Expos	Third baseman	^[45]
2000		Altoona Curve	Pittsburgh Pirates	Outfielder	^[46]
2001		Reading Phillies	Philadelphia Phillies	Outfielder	^[47]
2002		Akron Aeros	Cleveland Indians	Catcher	^[48]
2003		New Haven Ravens	Toronto Blue Jays	Outfielder	^[49]
2004		Reading Phillies	Philadelphia Phillies	First baseman	^[50]
2005		Binghamton Mets	New York Mets	First baseman	^[51]
2006		New Hampshire Fisher Cats	Toronto Blue Jays	Outfielder	^[52]
2007		Akron Aeros	Cleveland Indians	First baseman	^[53]
2008		Bowie Baysox	Baltimore Orioles	Outfielder	^[54]
2009		Akron Aeros	Cleveland Indians	Catcher	^[55]
2010		Trenton Thunder	New York Yankees	Third baseman	^[56]
2011		New Hampshire Fisher Cats	Toronto Blue Jays	Catcher	^[57]
2012		Reading Phillies	Philadelphia Phillies	First baseman	^[58]
2013		Binghamton Mets	New York Mets	First baseman	^[59]
2014		Erie SeaWolves	Detroit Tigers	Outfielder	^[60]
2015		Reading Fightin Phils	Philadelphia Phillies	First baseman	^[61]
2016				Outfielder	^[62]
2017		Bowie Baysox	Baltimore Orioles	Outfielder	^[63]
2018		New Hampshire Fisher Cats	Toronto Blue Jays	Second baseman	^[64]
2019		Trenton Thunder	New York Yankees	First baseman	^[65]
2020
2021		Somerset Patriots	New York Yankees	Second baseman	^[66] ^[67]
2022		Erie SeaWolves	Detroit Tigers	First baseman	^[68]
2023		Bowie Baysox	Baltimore Orioles	Third baseman	^[69] ^[70]
2024	Kristian Campbell	Portland Sea Dogs	Boston Red Sox	Shortstop	^[71] ^[72]

Wins by team

Active Eastern League teams appear in bold.

Team	Award(s)	Year(s)
Reading Fightin Phils (Reading Phillies)	8	1970, 1980, 1983, 2001, 2004, 2012, 2015, 2016
Harrisburg Senators	6	1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999
Chesapeake Baysox (Bowie Baysox)	4	1998, 2008, 2017, 2023
Akron RubberDucks (Akron Aeros)	3	2002, 2007, 2009
Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Binghamton Mets)		1995, 2005, 2013
Glens Falls Tigers (Glens Falls White Sox)		1981, 1984, 1988
New Hampshire Fisher Cats		2004, 2011, 2018
Elmira Pioneers	2	1964, 1966
Erie SeaWolves		2014, 2022
Pittsfield Cubs		1986, 1987
Pittsfield Red Sox		1965, 1968
Portland Sea Dogs		1997, 2024
Trenton Thunder		2010, 2019
Trois-Rivières Aigles		1971, 1977
West Haven A's (West Haven Yankees)		1975, 1982
Albany-Colonie Yankees	1	1992
Altoona Curve		2000
Berkshire Brewers		1976
Buffalo Bisons		1979
Charleston Indians		1963
Holyoke Millers		1978
New Britain Red Sox		1990
New Haven Ravens		2003
Pittsfield Rangers		1973
Sherbrooke Pirates		1972
Somerset Patriots		2021
Springfield Giants		1962
Thetford Mines Pirates		1974
Waterbury Indians		1985
Williamsport Mets		1967
York Pirates		1969

Wins by organization

Active Eastern League–Major League Baseball affiliations appear in bold.

Organization	Award(s)	Year(s)
Philadelphia Phillies	8	1970, 1980, 1983, 2001, 2004, 2012, 2015, 2016
Baltimore Orioles	6	1964, 1966, 1998, 2008, 2017, 2023
Pittsburgh Pirates		1969, 1972, 1974, 1979, 1989, 2000
Cleveland Guardians (Cleveland Indians)	5	1963, 1985, 2002, 2007, 2009
New York Yankees		1975, 1992, 2010, 2019, 2021
Washington Nationals (Montreal Expos)		1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999
Boston Red Sox	4	1965, 1968, 1990, 2024
New York Mets		1967, 1995, 2005, 2013
Toronto Blue Jays		2003, 2006, 2011, 2018
Detroit Tigers	3	1988, 2014, 2022
Chicago Cubs	2	1986, 1987
Chicago White Sox		1981, 1984
Cincinnati Reds		1971, 1977
Milwaukee Brewers		1976, 1978
Miami Marlins (Florida Marlins)	1	1997
Oakland Athletics		1982
San Francisco Giants		1962
Texas Rangers		1973

References

Specific

General

• Web site: Season-Ending Awards. Eastern League. Minor League Baseball. November 11, 2022. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124131548/https://www.milb.com/eastern/history/award-winners. January 24, 2022.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Terranova. Rob. Double-A Award Winners and All-Stars. Minor League Baseball. November 8, 2022. November 8, 2022.
2. Web site: Jackson. Josh. MiLB's Double-A Award Winners and All-Stars. Major League Baseball. October 6, 2021. May 26, 2022.
3. Web site: Eastern League (AA) Encyclopedia and History. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
4. Web site: Season-Ending Awards. Eastern League. Minor League Baseball. November 12, 2022. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124131548/https://www.milb.com/eastern/history/award-winners. January 24, 2022.
5. Web site: 2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved. Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. July 1, 2020.
6. Web site: Reichard . Kevin . Minor League Baseball Overhaul Unveiled. Ballpark Digest. February 12, 2021. February 13, 2021.
7. Web site: Historical League Names to Return in 2022. Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. March 16, 2022.
8. Web site: Jim Ray Hart Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
9. Web site: Bob Chance Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
10. Web site: Frank Bertaina Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
11. Web site: Owen Johnson Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
12. Web site: Tom Fisher Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
13. Web site: Bernie Smith Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
14. Web site: Carmen Fanzone Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
15. Web site: Angel Mangual Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
16. Web site: Greg Luzinski Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
17. Web site: Gene Locklear Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
18. Web site: Fernando Gonzalez Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
19. Web site: Tom Robson Minor, Winter, Mexican & Japanese Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
20. Web site: Ken Macha Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
21. Web site: Dave Bergman Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
22. Web site: Dan Thomas Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
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34. Web site: Rob Richie Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
35. Web site: Wes Chamberlain Minor, Japanese, Mexican & Independent Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
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37. Web site: Matt Stairs Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
38. Web site: Russ Davis Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
39. Web site: Cliff Floyd Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
40. Web site: Mark Grudzielanek Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
41. Web site: Jay Payton Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
42. Web site: Vladimir Guerrero Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
43. Web site: Kevin Millar Independent & Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
44. Web site: Calvin Pickering Minor, Mexican, Winter, Korean & Independent Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
45. Web site: Andy Tracy Minor, Japanese & Winter Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
46. Web site: Adam Hyzdu Minor, Mexican & Japanese Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
47. Web site: Marlon Byrd Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
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51. Web site: Mike Jacobs Minor, Fall, Winter, Mexican & Independent Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
52. Web site: Adam Lind Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
53. Web site: Jordan Brown Minor, Winter & Mexican Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
54. Web site: Luis Montanez Minor, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
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56. Web site: Brandon Laird Minor, Fall & Japanese Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
57. Web site: Travis d'Arnaud Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
58. Web site: Darin Ruf Minor, Fall, Winter & Korean Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
59. Web site: Allan Dykstra Minor, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
60. Web site: Steven Moya Minor, Winter, Fall & Japanese Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
61. Web site: Brock Stassi College, Minor, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
62. Web site: Dylan Cozens Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
63. Web site: Garabez Rosa Minor, Winter, Fall & Mexican Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
64. Web site: Cavan Biggio Amateur, College, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
65. Web site: Chris Gittens Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
66. Web site: Postseason All-Stars . Minor League Baseball . November 12, 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211008130129/https://www.milb.com/fans/postseason-all-stars . October 8, 2021.
67. Web site: Oswaldo Cabrera Minor Leagues Statistics. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. November 12, 2022.
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69. Web site: Trezza. Joe. The 2023 Double-A All-Stars and Award Winners. Minor League Baseball. September 26, 2023. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20230926201452/https://www.milb.com/news/double-a-all-stars-and-award-winners-for-2023. September 26, 2023.
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