MiLB announces Rookie-level All-Stars and award winners for 2024

As the four full-season levels of Minor League Baseball enter the last leg of their 2024 campaigns, award season is officially upon us. Kicking off the festivities is the Rookie-level leagues.

Starting in the Arizona Complex League, Rockies outfielder Robert Calaz took home MVP honors, with San Francisco’s Jacob Bresnahan winning Pitcher of the Year and Seattle’s Felnin Celesten being named the Top MLB Prospect.

On the other coast, Boston’s Franklin Arias earned two honors, being named the Florida Complex League MVP and the Top MLB Prospect. Pittsburgh’s Zander Mueth received Pitcher of the Year honors.

Rounding out the circuit is the Dominican Summer League – the only league that is still competing. Like Arias, Dodgers shortstop Emil Morales took home a pair of awards, winning MVP and the Top MLB Prospect. The Angels’ Ubaldo Soto, whose squad is playing in the DSL Finals, won the Pitcher of the Year.

Here are the major award winners as well as the full All-Star teams for each Rookie-level league.

Most Valuable Player: Robert Calaz, ACL Rockies (COL)
Signed in January 2023, Calaz posted a .984 OPS in his first season of pro ball, before upping the ante even further in 2024. Colorado’s No. 10 prospect delivered a league-leading 1.113 OPS to go along with 10 home runs and 12 stolen bases in 49 games. The 6-foot-2 outfielder has five-tool potential, with 50+ grades across the board. After the ACL season, he was promoted to Single-A Fresno, where he has a .957 OPS and two big flies.

Pitcher of the Year: Jacob Bresnahan, ACL Guardians (CLE)
Acquired by San Francisco in the deal that sent Alex Cobb to Cleveland, Bresnahan was stellar in 11 starts for the Guardians affiliate, leading the ACL in strikeouts (63) and WHIP (1.04), to go along with a 2.54 ERA. The 6-foot-4 lefty’s best pitch is his 55-grade fastball, which has gained 2 mph since he has turned pro and sits between 91-93 mph. Before he was dealt to San Francisco, the club’s No. 18 prospect was promoted to Single-A Lynchburg on July 22 and is now with the Giants’ Single-A affiliate.

Top MLB Prospect: Felnin Celesten, ACL Mariners (SEA)
Labeled as having the highest ceiling of any international shortstop in a decade, Celesten shot up MLB Pipeline’s rankings in 2024, landing as MLB’s No. 72 prospect in the latest rerank. The switch-hitting Dominican Republic native dominated ACL pitching, tallying a .352/.431/.568 slash line, with three homers and 27 RBIs in 32 games. His season was cut short by a left hamate injury that required surgery, but his performance in 2024, albeit limited, proved he has the tools to live up to his billing.

1B: Pablo Guerrero, ACL Rangers (TEX)
2B: Demetrio Crisantes, ACL D-Backs (AZ No. 13)
SS: Felnin Celesten, ACL Mariners (SEA No. 5, MLB No. 72)
3B: Eric Bitonti, ACL Brewers (MIL No. 13)
C: Edgardo Ordonez, ACL Brewers (MIL)
OF: Yeremi Cabrera, ACL Rangers (TEX No. 22)
OF: Robert Calaz, ACL Rockies (COL No. 10)
OF: Braylin Morel, ACL Rangers (TEX No. 20)
DH: Ricardo Cova, ACL Mariners (SEA)
UTIL: Welbyn Francisca, ACL Guardians (CLE No. 11)
SP: Jacob Bresnahan, ACL Guardians (SF No. 18)
SP: Jervis Alfaro, ACL Guardians (CLE)
SP: David Lorduy, ACL Reds (CIN)
SP: Eric Dominguez, ACL D-backs (AZ)
RP: Yendy Gomez, ACL Angels (LAA)
RP: Ricardo Brizuela, ACL White Sox (CWS)
Manager: Juan Apodaca, ACL Dodgers (LAD)

Most Valuable Player: Franklin Arias, FCL Red Sox (BOS)
The No. 6 prospect in a Boston system that is loaded with middle infield talent, Arias ranked tops in the FCL in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging, slashing .355/.471/.584. The Venezuela native projects to stay at shortstop long term with quick feet, dependable hands and a strong arm. Arias also swiped 30 bases, the fifth most in the league.

Pitcher of the Year: Zander Mueth, FCL Pirates (PIT)
Led by Paul Skenes and Jared Jones, pitching has been a bright spot for the big league club in Pittsburgh. Down on the farm, it’s no different. Mueth – the Pirates’ No. 12 prospect – didn’t eclipse two runs allowed in a single FCL start in 2024, leading the league with a dominant 1.58 ERA. He also ranked second in the circuit in WHIP (1.27) and BAA (.206). The 6-foot-6 right-hander was promoted to Single-A on July 31, where he has held opponents to a .132 BAA.

Top MLB Prospect: Franklin Arias, FCL Red Sox (BOS)
Arias didn’t crack MLB Pipeline’s Top 50 International Prospects list in 2023, but he has proven his prospect potential repeatedly over the past two seasons. After a successful campaign in the hitter-friendly Dominican Summer League, he proved it wasn’t a fluke with his performance in the FCL. With 60-grade fielding and arm tools, Arias has the defensive capability to be a plus defender at shortstop, while also providing intriguing speed and bat-to-ball skills at the dish. Arias was promoted to Single-A Salem on July 23.

1B: Engelth Urena, FCL Yankees (NYY No. 29)
2B: Carlos Caro, FCL Pirates (PIT)
SS: Franklin Arias, FCL Red Sox (BOS No. 6)
3B: Abraham Ramirez, FCL Yankees (MIA)
C: Eduardo Tait, FCL Phillies (PHI No. 5)
OF: Yasser Mercedes, FCL Twins (MIN No. 17)
OF: Brian Sanchez, FCL Yankees (NYY)
OF: Nomar Fana, FCL Tigers (DET)
DH: Jhonny Severino, FCL Pirates (PIT No. 19)
UTIL: Yordany De Los Santos, FCL Pirates (PIT No. 13)
SP: Zander Mueth, FCL Pirates (PIT No. 12)
SP: Juan De La Cruz, FCL Marlins (MIA)
SP: Juan Valera, FCL Red Sox (BOS)
SP: Nelfy Ynfante, FCL Cardinals (STL)
RP: David Matoma, FCL Pirates (PIT)
RP: Manuel Medina, FCL Marlins (MIA)
Manager: Luis Dorante, FCL Marlins (MIA)

Most Valuable Player: Emil Morales, DSL LAD Mega (LAD)
The No. 14 ranked prospect on the Top 50 International Prospects list in 2024, Morales caught scouts’ eyes with his makeup, high baseball IQ and leadership abilities. The 6-foot-3 shortstop – the Dodgers’ No. 8 prospect — has the potential to develop into a plus power bat, while also having the athleticism to stick at shortstop. In 46 games, Morales slugged 14 homers and posted a 1.168 OPS – marks that led all Rookie-level leagues in 2024.

Pitcher of the Year: Ubaldo Soto, DSL Angels (LAA)
Featuring a three-pitch mix led by a fastball that has gained 5 mph since he turned pro, Soto carved through opposing lineups in 2024. The 18-year-old righty – the Angels’ No. 29 prospect – allowed runs in just five of his 12 starts, leading to a stingy 1.29 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. He ended the regular season with a 20-inning scoreless streak and stacked up 56 punchouts in 2024.

Top MLB Prospect: Emil Morales, DSL LAD Mega (LAD)
At just 17 years old, Morales sports 55-grade hit and power tools, which will most likely increase as he fills out his 6-foot-3 frame. He has a refined approach at the dish and makes smart swing decisions. The shortstop’s season highlight came in late June when he tallied back-to-back two-homer games. He finished the season with 105 total bases, tied for first in the DSL.

1B: Jesus Alexander, DSL Giants Black (SF)
2B: Carlos Renzullo, DSL Rockies (COL)
SS: Emil Morales, DSL LAD Mega (LAD No. 8)
3B: Jesus Made, DSL Brewers (MIL No. 17)
C: Rainiel Rodriguez, DSL Cardinals (STL No. 24)
OF: Arnaldo Lantigua, DSL LAD Mega (LAD)
OF: Eduardo Beltre, DSL Twins (MIN No. 26)
OF: Jordan Sanchez, DSL Orioles (BAL No. 29)
DH: Alessander De La Cruz, DSL Rockies (COL)
UTIL: Luis Pena, DSL Brewers (MIL No. 22)
SP: Ubaldo Soto, DSL Angels (LAA No. 29)
SP: Cesar Aquino, DSL Pirates Gold (PIT)
SP: Franyer Herrera, DSL Bombers (NYY)
SP: Christian Lopez, DSL Reds (CIN)
RP: Davidxon Lara, DSL Angels (LAA)
RP: Ramon Suarez, DSL Blue Jays (TOR)
Manager: Juan Ciriaco, DSL Giants Black (SF)