Southern League Most Valuable Player Award

Southern League
Most Valuable Player AwardSport| Baseball

|

League| Southern League
Awarded for| Regular-season most valuable player of the Southern League
Country| United States
Presented by| Southern League
History
First award| Mike Reinbach (1972)
Most recent| Matt Shaw (2024)

The Southern League Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) is an annual award given to the best player in Minor League Baseball's Southern 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 1964,[3] the award was not created until 1972.[4] After the cancellation of the 2020 season,[5] the league was known as the Double-A South in 2021 before reverting to the Southern League name in 2022.[6][7]

Twenty-one outfielders have won the MVP Award, the most of any position. First basemen, with 14 winners, have won the most among infielders, followed by third basemen (6) and second basemen and shortstops (2). Eight catchers have also won the award.

Six players from the Knoxville Smokies have been selected for the MVP Award, more than any other team in the league, followed by the Huntsville Stars and Montgomery Biscuits (5); the Carolina Mudcats, Columbus Mudcats, and Memphis Chicks (4); the Birmingham Barons, Chattanooga Lookouts, Jackson Generals, and Jacksonville Suns (3); the Biloxi Shuckers, Greenville Braves, Mobile BayBears, and Nashville Sounds (2); and the Asheville Orioles, Charlotte O's, Mississippi Braves, Montgomery Rebels, and Orlando Twins (1).

Six players from the Chicago White Sox Major League Baseball (MLB) organization have won the award, more than any other, followed by the Tampa Bay Rays organization (5); the Houston Astros and Milwaukee Brewers organizations (4); the Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, and Oakland Athletics organizations (3); the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, and Washington Nationals organizations (2); and the Miami Marlins, San Diego Padres, and Seattle Mariners organizations (1).

## Winners

[edit]

Alan Trammell, the 1977 MVP, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010.[8] Jose Canseco, the 1985 winner, was the 1986 American League Rookie of the Year and the 1988 American League MVP.[9] Joey Votto, the 2006 Most Valuable Player, won the National League MVP Award in 2010.[10] Evan Longoria, the 2007 MVP, won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2008.[11] Key  Position | Indicates the player's primary position

|

^  | Indicates multiple award winners in the same year
Winners  Year  | Winner  | Team  | Organization  | Position  | Ref(s).

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|
|
|
|

1972  | Mike Reinbach | Asheville Orioles | Baltimore Orioles | Outfielder | [12]
1973  | Jerry Moxey | Columbus Astros | Houston Astros | Outfielder | [13]
1974  | Nyls Nyman | Knoxville Sox | Chicago White Sox | Outfielder | [14]
1975  | Mike Squires | First baseman | [15]
1976  | Larry Foster | Outfielder | [16]
1977  | Alan Trammell | Montgomery Rebels | Detroit Tigers | Shortstop | [17]
1978  | Eddie Gates | Memphis Chicks | Montreal Expos | Outfielder | [18]
1979^  | Danny Heep | Columbus Astros | Houston Astros | Outfielder | [19]
Alan Knicely | Catcher | [20]
1980  | Steve Balboni | Nashville Sounds | New York Yankees | First baseman | [21]
1981  | Tim Laudner | Orlando Twins | Minnesota Twins | Catcher | [22]
1982  | Brian Dayett | Nashville Sounds | New York Yankees | Outfielder | [23]
1983  | John Morris | Jacksonville Suns | Kansas City Royals | Outfielder | [24]
1984  | Andrés Galarraga | Montreal Expos | First baseman | [25]
1985  | Jose Canseco | Huntsville Stars | Oakland Athletics | Outfielder | [26]
1986  | Terry Steinbach | Catcher | [27]
1987  | Tom Dodd | Charlotte O's | Baltimore Orioles | First baseman | [28]
1988  | Matt Winters | Memphis Chicks | Kansas City Royals | Outfielder | [29]
1989  | Eric Anthony | Columbus Mudcats | Houston Astros | Outfielder | [30]
1990  | Jeff Conine | Memphis Chicks | Kansas City Royals | First baseman | [31]
1991  | Ryan Klesko | Greenville Braves | Atlanta Braves | First baseman | [32]
1992  | Javy López | Catcher | [33]
1993  | Carlos Delgado | Knoxville Smokies | Toronto Blue Jays | Catcher | [34]
1994  | Mark Johnson | Carolina Mudcats | Pittsburgh Pirates | First baseman | [35]
1995  | Jason Kendall | Catcher | [36]
1996  | Derrek Lee | Memphis Chicks | San Diego Padres | First baseman | [37]
1997  | Ben Grieve | Huntsville Stars | Oakland Athletics | Outfielder | [38]
1998  | Gabe Kapler | Jacksonville Suns | Detroit Tigers | Outfielder | [39]
1999  | Brady Clark | Chattanooga Lookouts | Cincinnati Reds | Outfielder | [40]
2000  | Joe Crede | Birmingham Barons | Chicago White Sox | Third baseman | [41]
2001  | Josh Phelps | Tennessee Smokies | Toronto Blue Jays | Catcher | [42]
2002  | Aaron Miles | Birmingham Barons | Chicago White Sox | Second baseman | [43]
2003  | Corey Hart | Huntsville Stars | Milwaukee Brewers | Third baseman | [44]
2004  | Richard Lewis | West Tenn Diamond Jaxx | Chicago Cubs | Second baseman | [45]
2005  | Delmon Young | Montgomery Biscuits | Tampa Bay Devil Rays | Outfielder | [46]
2006  | Joey Votto | Chattanooga Lookouts | Cincinnati Reds | First baseman | [47]
2007  | Evan Longoria | Montgomery Biscuits | Tampa Bay Devil Rays | Third baseman | [48]
2008  | Gaby Sánchez | Carolina Mudcats | Florida Marlins | First baseman | [49]
2009  | Desmond Jennings | Montgomery Biscuits | Tampa Bay Rays | Outfielder | [50]
2010  | Dave Sappelt | Carolina Mudcats | Cincinnati Reds | Outfielder | [51]
2011  | Paul Goldschmidt | Mobile BayBears | Arizona Diamondbacks | First baseman | [52]
2012  | Hunter Morris | Huntsville Stars | Milwaukee Brewers | First baseman | [53]
2013  | Marcus Semien | Birmingham Barons | Chicago White Sox | Shortstop | [54]
2014  | Jake Lamb | Mobile BayBears | Arizona Diamondbacks | Third baseman | [55]
2015  | Max Kepler | Chattanooga Lookouts | Minnesota Twins | Outfielder | [56]
2016  | Tyler O'Neill | Jackson Generals | Seattle Mariners | Outfielder | [57]
2017  | Kevin Cron | Arizona Diamondbacks | First baseman | [58]
2018  | Corey Ray | Biloxi Shuckers | Milwaukee Brewers | Outfielder | [59]
2019  | Drew Waters | Mississippi Braves | Atlanta Braves | Outfielder | [60]
2020  | None selected (season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic) | [5]
2021  | Jonathan Aranda | Montgomery Biscuits | Tampa Bay Rays | First baseman | [61][62]
2022  | Jakson Reetz | Biloxi Shuckers | Milwaukee Brewers | Catcher | [1][63]
2023  | Junior Caminero | Montgomery Biscuits | Tampa Bay Rays | Third baseman | [64][65]
2024  | Matt Shaw | Tennessee Smokies | Chicago Cubs | Third baseman | [66][67]

## Wins by team

[edit]

Active Southern League teams appear in bold.

Team  | Award(s)  | Year(s)

|
|

Knoxville Smokies (Knoxville Sox/Tennessee Smokies)  | 6  | 1974, 1975, 1976, 1993, 2001, 2024
Huntsville Stars | 5  | 1985, 1986, 1997, 2003, 2012
Montgomery Biscuits | 2005, 2007, 2009, 2021, 2023
Carolina Mudcats | 4  | 1994, 1995, 2008, 2010
Columbus Mudcats (Columbus Astros)  | 1973, 1979,[a] 1989
Memphis Chicks | 1978, 1988, 1990, 1996
Birmingham Barons | 3  | 2000, 2002, 2013
Chattanooga Lookouts | 1999, 2006, 2015
Jackson Generals (West Tenn Diamond Jaxx)  | 2004, 2016, 2017
Jacksonville Suns | 1983, 1984, 1998
Biloxi Shuckers | 2  | 2018, 2022
Greenville Braves | 1991, 1992
Mobile BayBears | 2011, 2014
Nashville Sounds | 1980, 1982
Asheville Orioles | 1  | 1972
Charlotte O's | 1987
Mississippi Braves | 2019
Montgomery Rebels | 1977
Orlando Twins | 1981

## Wins by organization

[edit]

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

Organization  | Award(s)  | Year(s)

|
|

Chicago White Sox | 6  | 1974, 1975, 1976, 2000, 2002, 2013
Tampa Bay Rays (Tampa Bay Devil Rays)  | 5  | 2005, 2007, 2009, 2021, 2023
Houston Astros | 4  | 1973, 1979,[b] 1989
Milwaukee Brewers | 2003, 2012, 2018, 2022
Arizona Diamondbacks | 3  | 2011, 2014, 2017
Atlanta Braves | 1991, 1992, 2019
Cincinnati Reds | 1999, 2006, 2010
Kansas City Royals | 1983, 1988, 1990
Oakland Athletics | 1985, 1986, 1997
Baltimore Orioles | 2  | 1972, 1987
Chicago Cubs | 2004, 2024
Detroit Tigers | 1977, 1998
Minnesota Twins | 1981, 2015
New York Yankees | 1980, 1982
Pittsburgh Pirates | 1994, 1995
Toronto Blue Jays | 1993, 2001
Washington Nationals (Montreal Expos)  | 1978, 1984
Miami Marlins (Florida Marlins)  | 1  | 2008
San Diego Padres | 1996
Seattle Mariners | 2016

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Two players from Columbus were selected as MVPs in 1979.
2. ^ Two players from the Houston organization were selected as MVPs in 1979.

## References

[edit]

Specific

1. ^ a b Terranova, Rob (November 8, 2022). "Double-A Award Winners and All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
2. ^ Jackson, Josh (October 6, 2021). "MiLB's Double-A Award Winners and All-Stars". Major League Baseball. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
3. ^ "Southern League (AA) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
4. ^ "Southern League Award Winners". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 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. ^ "Alan Trammell Stats". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
9. ^ "Jose Canseco Stats". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
10. ^ "Joey Votto Stats". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
11. ^ "Evan Longoria Stats". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
12. ^ "Mike Reinbach Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
13. ^ "Jerry Moxey Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
14. ^ "Nyls Nyman Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
15. ^ "Mike Squires Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
16. ^ "Larry Foster Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
17. ^ "Alan Trammell Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
18. ^ "Eddie Gates Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
19. ^ "Danny Heep Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
20. ^ "Alan Knicely Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
21. ^ "Steve Balboni Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
22. ^ "Tim Laudner Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
23. ^ "Brian Dayett Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
24. ^ "John Morris Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
25. ^ "Andres Galarraga Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
26. ^ "Jose Canseco Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
27. ^ "Terry Steinbach Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
28. ^ "Tom Dodd Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
29. ^ "Matt Winters Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
30. ^ "Eric Anthony Minor, Japanese, Independent & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
31. ^ "Jeff Conine Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
32. ^ "Ryan Klesko Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
33. ^ "Javy Lopez Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
34. ^ "Carlos Delgado Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
35. ^ "Mark Johnson Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
36. ^ "Jason Kendall Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
37. ^ "Derrek Lee Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
38. ^ "Ben Grieve Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
39. ^ "Gabe Kapler Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
40. ^ "Brady Clark Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
41. ^ "Joe Crede Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
42. ^ "Josh Phelps Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
43. ^ "Aaron Miles Minor, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
44. ^ "Corey Hart Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
45. ^ "Richard Lewis Minor, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
46. ^ "Delmon Young Fall, Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
47. ^ "Joey Votto Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
48. ^ "Evan Longoria Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
49. ^ "Gaby Sanchez Minor, Fall, Winter & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
50. ^ "Desmond Jennings Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
51. ^ "Dave Sappelt Minor, Winter, Fall, Mexican & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
52. ^ "Paul Goldschmidt Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
53. ^ "Hunter Morris Fall, Minor, College & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
54. ^ "Marcus Semien College, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
55. ^ "Jake Lamb Amateur, College, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
56. ^ "Max Kepler Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
57. ^ "Tyler O'Neill Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
58. ^ "Kevin Cron College, Amateur, Minor, Fall, Japanese & Korean Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
59. ^ "Corey Ray Amateur, College, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
60. ^ "Drew Waters Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
61. ^ "Postseason All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
62. ^ "Jonathan Aranda Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
63. ^ "Jakson Reetz Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
64. ^ Trezza, Joe. "The 2023 Double-A All-Stars and Award Winners". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
65. ^ "Junior Caminero Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
66. ^ "Minor League Postseason All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
67. ^ "Matt Shaw Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 25, 2024.

General

* "Southern League Award Winners". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2022.

* v
* t
* e

Southern League Most Valuable Player

* 1972: Mike Reinbach
* 1973: Jerry Moxey
* 1974: Nyls Nyman
* 1975: Mike Squires
* 1976: Larry Foster
* 1977: Alan Trammell
* 1978: Eddie Gates
* 1979: Danny Heep & Alan Knicely
* 1980: Steve Balboni
* 1981: Tim Laudner
* 1982: Brian Dayett
* 1983: John Morris
* 1984: Andrés Galarraga
* 1985: Jose Canseco
* 1986: Terry Steinbach
* 1987: Tom Dodd
* 1988: Matt Winters
* 1989: Eric Anthony
* 1990: Jeff Conine
* 1991: Ryan Klesko
* 1992: Javy López
* 1993: Carlos Delgado
* 1994: Mark Johnson
* 1995: Jason Kendall
* 1996: Derrek Lee
* 1997: Ben Grieve
* 1998: Gabe Kapler
* 1999: Brady Clark
* 2000: Joe Crede
* 2001: Josh Phelps
* 2002: Aaron Miles
* 2003: Corey Hart
* 2004: Richard Lewis
* 2005: Delmon Young
* 2006: Joey Votto
* 2007: Evan Longoria
* 2008: Gaby Sánchez
* 2009: Desmond Jennings
* 2010: Dave Sappelt
* 2011: Paul Goldschmidt
* 2012: Hunter Morris
* 2013: Marcus Semien
* 2014: Jake Lamb
* 2015: Max Kepler
* 2016: Tyler O'Neill
* 2017: Kevin Cron
* 2018: Corey Ray
* 2019: Drew Waters
* 2020: none
* 2021: Jonathan Aranda
* 2022: Jakson Reetz
* 2023: Junior Caminero
* 2024: Matt Shaw

* v
* t
* e

Southern League

North Division|

* Birmingham Barons
* Chattanooga Lookouts
* Knoxville Smokies
* Rocket City Trash Pandas

South Division|

* Biloxi Shuckers
* Columbus Clingstones
* Montgomery Biscuits
* Pensacola Blue Wahoos

* All-Star Game
* Champions
* Hall of Fame
* Manager of the Year Award
* MVP Award
* No-hitters and perfect games
* Pitcher of the Year Award
* Rosters
* Stadiums
* Teams

*[Ref(s).]: Reference(s)
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*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template