The Cincinnati Reds have historically handed out their minor league player awards at Redsfest, but that was impossible this past year. With the new collective bargaining agreement in place, teams have a “no contact” period with minor leagues from around the middle of November through the end of December. That meant that for the first time in forever, the Reds could not ask minor league players to attend Redsfest and left them without the ability to give the players their awards. Cincinnati instead used the Reds on Radio Affiliate Luncheon to announce their 2023 awards winners. The Reds recipients matched the same three players that I chose back in October for each spot.
Blake Dunn – Minor League Player of the Year
There haven’t been many minor league seasons like the one that Blake Dunn had in 2023. The outfielder would split his season between High-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga, getting better after reaching Double-A. Between the two stops he played in 124 games and hit .312/.425/.522. That line on it’s own is quite impressive, but that’s not what grabbed the headlines once his season was completed. Dunn hit 23 home runs and he stole 54 bases. Only one other minor leaguer from within the Reds organization dating back to 1960 when we have full minor league data has had a 20 homer, 50 steal season – Gary Redus also did it back in 1982 with Triple-A Indianapolis.
Blake Dunn led the farm system in home runs, hits, runs, steals, the number of times he was hit by a pitch, and total bases. He also finished second in average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS. He was third in runs batted in and fifth in walks.
Jacob Hurtubise – Minor League Hitter of the Year
It was a breakout year for Jacob Hurtubise. The outfielder had never homered in his life prior to the final game of the 2022 season. Then in 2023 he came out and hit seven homers in his time between Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville. The step up in power was a big surprise, but it wasn’t the only area he took a step forward in. Hurtubise hit .330, had a .479 on-base percentage, and he slugged .483 thanks to adding in 10 triples and 11 doubles to go with those homers. Known for his plus speed in the past, it was still there and it helped him steal 45 bases in 54 tries during the regular season. He also walked more than he struck out, taking 77 free passes and striking out just 63 times in his 455 plate appearances during the year. His average was the tops in the farm system among players with at least 350 plate appearances. So was his on-base percentage and OPS. Hurtubise finished second in steals, triples, runs, and third in walks.
Julian Aguiar – Minor League Pitcher of the Year
Like Blake Dunn, Julian Aguiar began his season in High-A Dayton and then moved up to Double-A Chattanooga. Between the two stops he would post a 2.95 ERA in 25 starts and throw 125.0 innings. He gave up just 101 hits – and only eight homers – while walking 37 batters and striking out 138 of the 515 hitters he faced. Aguiar led the farm system in ERA and innings pitched. His strikeout-to-walk ratio led the farm system among pitchers who threw at least 80 innings on the year.