Each season there are tons of surprises and disappointments in the minor leagues. It’s a long season, and plenty can happen. The Kansas City Royals organization hands out minor league hardware after each season. The George Brett Hitter of the Year Award goes to the organization’s best hitter in the minor leagues. The Paul Splittorff Pitcher of the Year Award honors the best pitcher in the system each year. A handful of other awards are also handed out at the end of each season.
- George Brett Hitter of the Year
- Paul Splittorff Pitcher of the Year
- Willie Wilson Award (best baserunner)
- Frank White Award (best defender)
- Mike Sweeney Award (best on and off-the-field contributions)
- Alex Gordon Award (best Heart and Hustle)
There are usually favorites entering each season. Whether those favorites to succeed pan out is another story entirely. Entering 2023, Gavin Cross would’ve been the resounding favorite to be the Hitter of the Year. Instead, that award eventually went to Tyler Tolbert after a fantastic season. Javier Vaz (2023 Alex Gordon Award winner) and Mason Barnett (2023 Paul Splittorff Award winner) were both relatively off the radar entering the season but came away with hardware after great performances. Plenty can happen between now and next September, but here are my predictions for the future 2024 Award winners.
Predicting winners of the Royals’ organizational awards entering 2024
George Brett Hitter of the Year: 3B Cayden Wallace
Honorable Mentions: OF Gavin Cross, OF Jared Dickey
Wallace made it to Double-A last season in his first full professional campaign. The results before that at High-A Quad Cities weren’t outstanding, but it was still a fine showing. Wallace hasn’t wowed in any one aspect of his game thus far, but the potential is there for him to take a big step forward in 2024 — and I believe he will. It was a rather small sample for Northwest Arkansas, but by the end of the year, Wallace was getting back on track. Over the last two weeks of the season, he slashed .283/.333/.478 with a strikeout rate of just 13.7%. I expect Wallace to continue that success into 2024.
Cross was abysmal in 2023, but there’s a reason he was taken ninth overall. That prospect is still in there somewhere. Cross looked to regain some confidence in Arizona after the regular season ended and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him right the ship early in 2024.
Paul Splittorff Pitcher of the Year: RHP David Sandlin
Honorable Mentions: LHP Frank Mozzicato, LHP Noah Cameron
David Sandlin likely would’ve been in the conversation for this award last season had he stayed healthy. Assuming good health in 2024, Sandlin should be seen as the favorite to come away with the hardware after it’s all said and done. He’s started to hit triple digits in the offseason and was downright dominant at times last season. He’ll likely start the season back at High-A — he only made two starts there before injury in 2023 — but could find his way to Northwest Arkansas by the end of the year if it all goes well.
Mozzicato and Cameron have both been working on velocity this offseason and could both be on the rise if it shows up on the mound. Both are great at striking out opposing hitters and generating whiffs. Cameron has the edge with the better command, but Mozzicato could put it together quickly.
Alex Gordon Heart and Hustle Award: OF Spencer Nivens
Honorable Mentions: SS Austin Charles, OF Milo Rushford
Javier Vaz should be a strong candidate for this award, but it’s unlikely the organization would award this one to the same player in back-to-back years. Nivens looks like a gamer in the outfield. He makes good contact and plays the game hard, much like Vaz did in 2023. Nivens isn’t the type of player to wow you with massive home runs or unbelievable catches in the outfield. With that said, he plays the game hard and represents exactly what the Royals look for in future big leaguers.
Willie Wilson Award: SS Tyler Tolbert
Honorable Mentions: SS Daniel Vazquez, OF Jean Ramirez
Tolbert won the George Brett Award in 2023 for the Royals, but he remains the best base stealer in the entire organization. He’s stolen 50 or more bases now in three consecutive seasons, including a 2022 campaign that saw him go a perfect 60 of 60 on stolen base attempts. Not only is he fast, but Tolbert is a smart base runner who rarely makes mistakes on the basepaths. He’s an easy favorite for this one entering the season.
Frank White Award: OF Carson Roccaforte
Honorable Mentions: C Blake Mitchell, SS Daniel Vazquez
Carson Roccaforte drew rave reviews for his defense after being taken by the Royals early in last summer’s MLB Draft. That defense showed itself big time in his time with Low-A Columbia as well, and he looks like a future above-average defender in center field — at least. The potential exists for a true plus defender with Roccaforte. He has a quick jump in center and takes great routes to the baseball. The routine catches are just that, but he makes the tough ones look routine often as well. He’s certainly among the best defenders in the entire organization and I expect he’ll come away with the hardware as the very best in 2024.
