Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year Award

The Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year Award is an annual award given to the best pitcher in Minor League Baseball's Pacific Coast League based on their regular-season performance as voted on by league managers.[1] Broadcasters, Minor League Baseball executives, and members of the media have previously voted as well.[2] Though the league was established in 1903,[3] the award was not created until 1957.[4] It was issued sporadically through 1974 before being discontinued from 1975 to 2000.[4] After the cancellation of the 2020 season,[5] the league was known as the Triple-A West in 2021 before reverting to the Pacific Coast League name in 2022.[6][7]

Pacific Coast League
Pitcher of the Year Award
SportBaseball
LeaguePacific Coast League
Awarded forBest regular-season pitcher in the Pacific Coast League
CountryUnited States
Canada
Presented byPacific Coast League
History
First awardLeo Kiely (1957)
Most winsCharlie Hough (2)
Most recentJack Leiter (2024)

From 1927 to 2000, pitchers were eligible to win the Most Valuable Player Award (MVP). Eleven pitchers won the MVP Award: Bobo Newsom (1933), Willie Ludolph (1936), Fred Hutchinson (1938), Yank Terry (1941), Bob Joyce (1945), Johnny Lindell (1952), Dick Hall (1959), Dennis Lewallyn (1980), Mike Campbell (1987), Donne Wall (1995), and Steve Mintz (1996).[4] Five pitchers have also won the league's Top MLB Prospect Award (formerly the Rookie of the Year Award): George O'Donnell (1953), Lino Donoso (1954), Bob Garber (1955), Bob Anderson (1956), and Félix Hernández (2005). Hernández is the only pitcher to win both awards in the same season.[4] Charlie Hough, the winner in 1970 and 1972, is the only pitcher to win the award on multiple occasions.

Five pitchers from the Tacoma Rainiers have been selected for the Pitcher of the Year Award, more than any other team in the league, followed by the Round Rock Express (4); the Nashville Sounds and Oklahoma City Comets (3); the Albuquerque Dukes, Iowa Cubs, and Sugar Land Space Cowboys (2); and the Albuquerque Isotopes, Denver Bears, Edmonton Trappers, Fresno Grizzlies, Hawaii Islanders, Memphis Redbirds, New Orleans Zephyrs, Omaha Storm Chasers, Phoenix Giants, Sacramento River Cats, Salt Lake Bees, San Francisco Seals, Spokane Indians, and Vancouver Mounties (1).

Seven players from the Houston Astros Major League Baseball (MLB) organization have won the award, more than any other, followed by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization (5); the Chicago Cubs organization (4); the Milwaukee Brewers and Texas Rangers organizations (3); the Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants, and Seattle Mariners organizations (2); and the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, and Washington Nationals organizations (1).

Winners

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Gaylord Perry, the 1961 winner, won two Cy Young Awards (1972 & 1978) and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991.[8]
 
Charlie Hough, the 1970 and 1972 Pitcher of the Year, is the only player to win the award twice.
 
Félix Hernández, the 2005 winner, won the American League Cy Young Award in 2010.[9]
 
R. A. Dickey, the 2007 winner, won the National League Cy Young Award in 2012.[10]
Key
Record The pitcher's win–loss record during the regular season
Saves The number of saves earned by the pitcher, if any, during the regular season
ERA The pitcher's earned run average (ERA) during the regular season
SO The number of strikeouts recorded by the pitcher during the regular season
(#) Number of wins by pitchers who won the award multiple times
Winners
Year Winner Team Organization Record Saves ERA SO Ref(s).
1957 Leo Kiely San Francisco Seals Boston Red Sox 21–6 0 2.22 38 [11]
1958–1959: None selected [4]
1960 Chet Nichols Jr. Vancouver Mounties Baltimore Orioles 18–6 0 3.65 109 [12]
1961 Gaylord Perry Tacoma Giants San Francisco Giants 16–10 0 2.55 95 [13]
1962 Dick Egan Hawaii Islanders Los Angeles Angels 17–11 0 3.45 201 [14]
1963–1965: None selected [4]
1966 Jim Ollom Denver Bears Minnesota Twins 20–8 0 3.43 137 [15]
1967 Howie Reed Oklahoma City 89ers Houston Astros 19–8 0 2.73 128 [16]
1968 Rich Robertson Phoenix Giants San Francisco Giants 18–9 0 2.36 216 [17]
1969 Dick LeMay Tacoma Cubs Chicago Cubs 10–8 14 2.82 82 [18]
1970 Charlie Hough (1) Spokane Indians Los Angeles Dodgers 12–8 18 1.95 90 [19]
1971 Roberto Rodríguez Tacoma Cubs Chicago Cubs 15–8 1 4.01 153 [20]
1972 Charlie Hough (2) Albuquerque Dukes Los Angeles Dodgers 14–5 14 2.38 95 [19]
1973: None selected [4]
1974 Rex Hudson Albuquerque Dukes Los Angeles Dodgers 16–4 0 3.80 99 [21]
1975–2000: None selected [4]
2001 Denny Stark Tacoma Rainiers Seattle Mariners 14–2 0 2.37 130 [22]
2002 Jeriome Robertson New Orleans Zephyrs Houston Astros 12–8 0 2.55 114 [23]
2003 Justin Duchscherer Sacramento River Cats Oakland Athletics 14–2 0 3.25 117 [24]
2004 Scott Downs Edmonton Trappers Montreal Expos 10–6 0 3.52 67 [25]
2005 Félix Hernández Tacoma Rainiers Seattle Mariners 9–4 0 2.25 100 [26]
2006 Jason Hirsh Round Rock Express Houston Astros 13–2 0 2.10 118 [27]
2007 R. A. Dickey Nashville Sounds Milwaukee Brewers 13–6 0 3.72 119 [28]
2008 Shane Loux Salt Lake Bees Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 12–6 0 3.98 77 [29]
2009 Bud Norris Round Rock Express Houston Astros 4–9 0 2.63 112 [30]
2010 Michael Kirkman Oklahoma City RedHawks Texas Rangers 13–3 0 3.09 130 [31]
2011 Luis Mendoza Omaha Storm Chasers Kansas City Royals 12–5 2 2.18 81 [32]
2012 John Ely Albuquerque Isotopes Los Angeles Dodgers 14–7 0 3.20 165 [33]
2013 Johnny Hellweg Nashville Sounds Milwaukee Brewers 12–5 0 3.15 89 [34]
2014 Jimmy Nelson 10–2 0 1.46 114 [35]
2015 Carlos Pimentel Iowa Cubs Chicago Cubs 12–6 0 2.95 118 [36]
2016 Brady Rodgers Fresno Grizzlies Houston Astros 12–4 0 2.86 116 [37]
2017 Wilmer Font Oklahoma City Dodgers Los Angeles Dodgers 10–8 0 3.42 178 [38]
2018 Dakota Hudson Memphis Redbirds St. Louis Cardinals 13–3 0 2.50 87 [39]
2019 Colin Rea Iowa Cubs Chicago Cubs 14–4 0 3.95 120 [40]
2020: None selected (season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic) [5]
2021 Peter Solomon Sugar Land Skeeters Houston Astros 8–1 1 4.70 112 [41][42]
2022 Hunter Brown Sugar Land Space Cowboys Houston Astros 9–4 1 2.55 134 [1][43]
2023 Cody Bradford Round Rock Express Texas Rangers 9–2 0 3.63 65 [44][45]
2024 Jack Leiter 6–4 0 3.51 110 [46][47]

Wins by team

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Active Pacific Coast League teams appear in bold.

Team Award(s) Year(s)
Tacoma Rainiers (Tacoma Giants/Cubs/Rainiers) 5 1961, 1969, 1971, 2001, 2005
Round Rock Express 4 2006, 2009, 2023, 2024
Nashville Sounds 3 2007, 2013, 2014
Oklahoma City Comets (Oklahoma City 89ers/RedHawks/Dodgers) 1967, 2010, 2017
Albuquerque Dukes 2 1972, 1974
Iowa Cubs 2015, 2019
Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Sugar Land Skeeters) 2021, 2022
Albuquerque Isotopes 1 2012
Denver Bears 1966
Edmonton Trappers 2004
Fresno Grizzlies 2016
Hawaii Islanders 1962
Memphis Redbirds 2018
New Orleans Zephyrs 2002
Omaha Storm Chasers 2011
Phoenix Giants 1968
Sacramento River Cats 2003
Salt Lake Bees 2008
San Francisco Seals 1957
Spokane Indians 1970
Vancouver Mounties 1960

Wins by organization

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Active Pacific Coast League–Major League Baseball affiliations appear in bold.

Organization Award(s) Year(s)
Houston Astros 7 1967, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2016, 2021, 2022
Los Angeles Dodgers 5 1970, 1972, 1974, 2012, 2017
Chicago Cubs 4 1969, 1971, 2015, 2019
Milwaukee Brewers 3 2007, 2013, 2014
Texas Rangers 2010, 2023, 2024
Los Angeles Angels 2 1962, 2008
San Francisco Giants 1961, 1968
Seattle Mariners 2001, 2005
Baltimore Orioles 1 1960
Boston Red Sox 1957
Kansas City Royals 2011
Minnesota Twins 1966
Oakland Athletics 2003
St. Louis Cardinals 2018
Washington Nationals (Montreal Expos) 2004

References

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Specific
  1. ^ a b "Triple-A Award Winners and All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. November 7, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  2. ^ Jackson, Josh (October 5, 2021). "Here are the 2021 Triple-A All-Stars". Major League Baseball. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  3. ^ Avallone, Michael (March 18, 2022). "Then and Now: Pacific Coast League". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "Pacific Coast League Award Winners". Pacific Coast League. Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on February 6, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  6. ^ Reichard, Kevin (February 12, 2021). "Minor League Baseball Overhaul Unveiled". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  7. ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  8. ^ "Gaylord Perry Stats". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  9. ^ "Félix Hernández Stats". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  10. ^ "R. A. Dickey Stats". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  11. ^ "Leo Kiely Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  12. ^ "Chet Nichols Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  13. ^ "Gaylord Perry Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  14. ^ "Dick Egan Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  15. ^ "Jim Ollom Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  16. ^ "Howie Reed Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  17. ^ "Rich Robertson Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  18. ^ "Dick LeMay Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  19. ^ a b "Charlie Hough Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  20. ^ "Roberto Rodriguez Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  21. ^ "Rex Hudson Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  22. ^ "Denny Stark Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  23. ^ "Jeriome Robertson Minor, Winter, CPBL, Independent & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  24. ^ "Justin Duchscherer Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  25. ^ "Scott Downs Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  26. ^ "Felix Hernandez Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  27. ^ "Jason Hirsh Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  28. ^ "R.A. Dickey Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  29. ^ "Shane Loux Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  30. ^ "Bud Norris Minor, Winter, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  31. ^ "Michael Kirkman Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  32. ^ "Luis Mendoza Minor, Winter, Japanese & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  33. ^ "John Ely Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  34. ^ "Johnny Hellweg Minor, Fall, Independent, Winter & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  35. ^ "Jimmy Nelson Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  36. ^ "Carlos Pimentel Minor, Winter, Mexican & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  37. ^ "Brady Rodgers Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  38. ^ "Wilmer Font Minor, Winter, Independent & Korean Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  39. ^ "Dakota Hudson College, Amateur & Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  40. ^ "Colin Rea Amateur, College, Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  41. ^ "Postseason All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  42. ^ "Peter Solomon College, Amateur & Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  43. ^ "Hunter Brown Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  44. ^ Terranova, Rob (October 4, 2023). "The 2023 Triple-A All-Stars and Award Winners". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  45. ^ "Cody Bradford College, Amateur & Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  46. ^ Avallone, Michael (October 2, 2024). "Here are the 2024 Triple-A All-Stars and Award Winners". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on October 2, 2024. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  47. ^ "Jack Leiter College & Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
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