2040 SIMBL GM AWARDS ANNOUNCED

Pioneers' Angel Vasquez Caps Historic Season By Becoming First Rookie To Win MVP In First Season; Bandits' Veteran Manuel Cabrera Wins Second Consecutive UL Hurler Of The Year Award

Oregon rookie Angel Vasquez (above) dazzled with his near-nightly acrobatic catches, leading the UL in batting average, hits, triples, runs scored, OBP, RC, RC/27, WOBA, WAR and second in OPS, TB and SB and third in BB and doubles. Vasquez becomes the first true rookie in non-Inaugural Draft seasons to ever win a SIMBL MVP Award.  Needless to say, the former #10 overall pick of the 2038 SIMBL Draft won the UL Rookie Of The Year Award and was one of four Pioneers to be named to the UL Silver Slugger Awards team.  Vasquez's rookie campaign will go down in history as perhaps the most productive freshman season in league history and it's the best since Carolina's Chris Cota (whom the Rookie Of The Year award has since been named after) hit. 340 with 38 HR 139 RBI and an .994 OPS in his 2016 rookie season which is with an asterisk due to being in the 2016-2018 SIMBL Steroid Era which led to the 2019 New File Era.  Vasquez hit .334 with 9 HR, 70 RBI, 97 BB, 42 doubles, 11 triples, 91 SB and an .895 OPS.

2040 SIMBL GM Awards:
SIMBL GM Of The Year: Jamey Carter Oregon
UL Slugger Of The Year: Angel Vasquez Oregon
SL Slugger Of The Year: Keith Cooper Tampa Bay
UL Hurler Of The Year: Manuel Cabrera Bend
SL Hurler Of The Year: Christopher Laux Boston
UL Middle Reliever Of The Year: Manny Marino Bristol
SL Middle Reliever Of The Year: Hugh Campbell Boston
UL Fireman Of The Year: Daniel Chase New York
SL Fireman Of The Year: David Virgil Asheville
UL Rookie Of The Year: Angel Vasquez Oregon
SL Rookie Of The Year: Miguel Gonzalez Las Vegas

2040 Union League Richard P. DeMarco Gold Glove Defense Awards:

*-Indicates Repeat From Last Season
(Career Awards):

Pitcher Brandon Reynolds Cleveland Brownies (1)
Catcher Manuel Assa New York Enforcers (1)
First Baseman Chris Metcalf Oregon Pioneers (1)
Second Baseman Angel Orozco Bend Bandits (1)
Third Baseman Kent Bennett Westbury Cannons (2)
Shortstop Pedro Santana Calgary Clippers (1)
Left Fielder Manny Foster Cleveland Brownies (9)
Center Fielder Ken O'Brien Texas Roadrunners (2) *
Right Fielder Salvador Silva Cleveland Brownies (1)

2040 Syndicate League Richard P. DeMarco Gold Glove Defense Awards:

*-Indicates Repeat From Last Season
(Career Awards):

Pitcher Pete Loranzo Knoxville Lumberkings (1)
Catcher Derrick Clark Knoxville Lumberkings (1)
First Baseman Thomas Sheffield Sacramento Giants (1)
Second Baseman Nicolas Pagano Knoxville Lumberkings (2)
Third Baseman Salvador Flores San Diego Warewolves (3)
Shortstop Juan Solis Norfolk Buccaneers (1)
Left Fielder Angelo Lorenzo Hawaii Pineapples (2)
Center Fielder Johnny Abraham Chicago Hitmen (1)
Right Fielder Colin Logan Chicago Hitmen (1)

2040 Union League Tony Aguilar Silver Slugger Awards:

Catcher Steven Dawson Oregon Pioneers
.313/.402/.412, 434 AB, 4 HR, 2 SB, 127 wRC+, 4.6 WAR
First Baseman Hue Henderson Calgary Clippers
.311/.362/.541, 640 AB, 36 HR, 2 SB, 103 RBI, 5.1 WAR
Second Baseman Kimoyo Shimazu Oregon Pioneers
.317/.379/.445, 634 AB, 14 HR, 49 SB, 102 RBI, 6.2 WAR
Third Baseman Deryk Ryles Whitby Battalion
.294/.403/.568, 558 AB, 37 HR, 114 RBI, 7.7 WAR
Shortstop Jeff Kovach New York Enforcers
.282/.391/.455, 585 AB, 20 HR, 55 SB, 130 wRC+, 6.5 WAR
Left Fielder Bobby Papesh Oregon Pioneers
.290/.379/.475, 604 AB, 27 HR, 2 SB, 122 RBI, 5.7 WAR
Center Fielder Angel Vasquez Oregon Pioneers
.334/.420/.474, 647 AB, 9 HR, 91 SB, 142 R, 149 wRC+, 10.8 WAR
Right Fielder Josh Robertson Dallas Texans
.276/.340/.454, 612 AB, 29 HR, 35 SB, 112 wRC+, 4.6 WAR
Designated Hitter John Svoboda Oregon Pioneers
.275/.331/.461, 651 AB, 32 HR, 43 SB, 105 RBI, 3.3 WAR

2040 Syndicate League Tony Aguilar Silver Slugger Awards:

Catcher Matt Douglass Chicago Hitmen
.258/.333/.487, 489 AB, 26 HR, 1 SB, 116 wRC+, 4.0 WAR
First Baseman Keith Cooper Tampa Bay Silverbacks
.305/.349/.564, 679 AB, 44 HR, 106 R, 127 RBI, 4.6 WAR
Second Baseman Felipe Santana San Diego Warewolves
.277/.356/.485, 582 AB, 31 HR, 53 SB, 101 R, 132 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
Third Baseman Tyler Conway Boston Revolution
.301/.360/.519, 528 AB, 32 HR, 1 SB, 144 wRC+, 5.7 WAR
Shortstop Hugh Gordon Boston Revolution
.286/.349/.488, 637 AB, 35 HR, 48 SB, 133 wRC+, 7.2 WAR
Left Fielder Kevin Singleton Norfolk Buccaneers
.300/.352/.464, 646 AB, 26 HR, 36 SB, 129 wRC+, 5.1 WAR
Center Fielder Pambo Rivera Asheville Smokies
.262/.341/.549, 618 AB, 43 HR, 53 SB, 122 R, 112 RBI, 9.3 WAR
Right Fielder Ben Mitchell Sacramento Giants
.292/.392/.502, 572 AB, 28 HR, 23 SB, 147 wRC+, 5.7 WAR
Designated Hitter Roberto Encarnacion San Diego Warewolves
.302/.352/.509, 629 AB, 34 HR, 1 SB, 133 wRC+, 3.3 WAR

2040 SIMBL GM OF THE YEAR:

Oregon GM Jamey Carter was voted 2040 SIMBL GM Of The Year after inheriting and returning the Pioneers to the postseason in one year back in the SIMBL for the first time since the 2029 season.  It's the second overall GM Of The Year Award for Jamey who was voted the award for the 2024 season as well.

Whitby GM James Lemon was voted second after leading the Battalion to a 90-72 record in his first full SIMBL season as GM.  James led the 14th worst-to-first divisional turnaround in SIMBL history and his 27 game improvement from last season's 63-99 record, which was worst in the SIMBL and which led to this season's #1 overall pick in the 2040 SIMBL Draft, was the 4th-best single-season record improvement in the league's 36-season history.

Norfolk GM Brandon Popper, Hawaii GM David MacKenzie, Hollywood GM Brian Barrett, who also led the 13th worst-to-first divisional turnaround in SIMBL history in his first full SIMBL season and a rebound from the league's second-worst record last season to its first divisional crown since the 2024 season, Boston GM Anthony Keence, who ended the SIMBL's longest postseason drought in his first full season, and GM Pete McGowan of the new 2040 SIMBL Champion Asheville Smokies all tied for third-place in the voting.

UL SLUGGER OF THE YEAR MVP AWARD:

At the age of 25, Angel Vasquez of the Oregon Pioneers could very well have his best years ahead of him.

It's a startling thought when you consider the year he had in 2040 was good enough to win the center fielder the Union League Daryl Ryles Slugger Of The Year MVP Award.

"See the ball, hit the ball," he said. "That's my basic approach."

The top hitter put up a .334 batting average this year, as well as a .420 on-base percentage. He played 158 games and racked up 216 hits, 42 doubles, 11 triples, 9 home runs, 70 RBIs and 142 runs scored.

Hue Henderson of the Calgary Clippers finished second in voting, while Bobby Papesh of the Oregon Pioneers finished third.

SL SLUGGER OF THE YEAR MVP AWARD:

Keith Cooper has been around SIM Baseball League enough to know a good hot streak when he sees one -- and he got to see one firsthand all year. For his standout run through the 2040 season, he's taking home the Daryl Ryles Slugger Of The Year MVP Award in the Syndicate League.

The Tampa Bay first baseman put up a batting average of .305 with 42 doubles, 1 triple, 44 home runs and 127 RBIs.

Pambo Rivera of the Asheville Smokies finished second in voting, while Vincent Stewart of the Norfolk Buccaneers finished third.

2040 UL HURLER OF THE YEAR AWARD:

Manuel Cabrera of the Bend Bandits might be an old man, but he can still pitch with the best of them. Today the 35-year-old hurler snagged the Union League Bobby Grimes Hurler Of The Year Award honors for his outstanding 2040 performance.  Cabrera joined league legends as he won the award for the second consecutive season.

He posted a 2.13 ERA with 14 wins, 7 losses, 208 strikeouts and 44 walks in 215 innings.

Michael Kilbane of the Texas Roadrunners finished second in voting, while Cristo Rivas of the Whitby Battalion finished third.

2040 SL HURLER OF THE YEAR AWARD:

The Boston Revolution have a rising superstar or maybe even a budding Hall-of-Famer in the making.

It's Christopher Laux, this year's Syndicate League Bobby Grimes Hurler Of The Year Award selection. This blossoming hurler wowed fans, peers and sportswriters with a fabulous performance.

Laux compiled a 15-5 record in 33 starts, tallied 204 strikeouts in 222 innings and recorded a 2.72 ERA. Other clubs managed only a .232 batting average against him.

Aaron King of the Hollywood Stars finished second in voting, while Billy Lynch of the Sacramento Giants finished third.

2040 UL MIDDLE RELIEVER OF THE YEAR AWARD:

At the young age of only 26, Manny Marino has been named the Union League Middle Reliever of the Year Award winner for 2040.

The future appears bright for the Bristol Owls relief ace, who captured the award with 7 saves in 58 relief appearances, 62 strikeouts in 90 innings and a record of 5-1 to go with his 1.50 ERA.

Russell Kirk of the Calgary Clippers finished second in voting, while Rafael Martinez of the Bend Bandits finished third.

2040 SL MIDDLE RELIEVER OF THE YEAR AWARD:

Hugh Campbell was a calming influence out of the Boston Revolution bullpen this season.

His teammates and manager said he had a poised demeanor about him that was typical of someone much older and more experienced. His poise has paid off, as the 26-year-old turned in a sparkling season and has been named the winner of the Syndicate League Middle Reliever of the Year Award for 2040.

The Eagle Pass, Texas native won the award with 6 saves in 57 relief appearances, 74 strikeouts in 60.2 innings and a record of 2-6 to go with his 2.67 ERA.

Jimbo Corbin of the Chicago Hitmen finished second in voting, while Newt Austin of the Rochester Roosters finished third.

2040 UL FIREMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD:

New York's Daniel Chase was voted the 2040 Union League Fireman Of The Year.

The 27 year-old right hander led the league with 44 saves. He pitched 77.2 IP with a 2.20 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and a 91.7 SV% for the UL champion Enforcers.

Dallas' Keith Thompson finished second in the voting while Oregon's Ray Curry tallied a distant third.

2040 SL FIREMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD:

Asheville closer David Virgil had a season to remember and was voted the 2040 SL Fireman Of The Year.

The 27 year-old former seventh round draft pick in 2032 led the league with 44 saves. He pitched 96.0 IP with a 3.18 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 81.5 SV% in helping leading the Smokies to the 2040 SIMBL Coveted Cup Championship.

Norfolk's Benny Mauser placed the only other votes and finished a distant second in the voting.

2040 UL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD:

Angel Vasquez put together some impressive numbers for Oregon to garner enough votes for the Union League Chris Cota Rookie Of The Year Award.

The Pioneers center fielder took the honor by hitting .334 in 158 games this season and finishing with 216 hits, 9 home runs, 70 RBIs and 142 runs scored.

Casey Garner of the Oregon Pioneers finished second in voting, while Jimmy Hunter of the Dallas Texans finished third.

2040 SL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD:

Miguel Gonzalez put together a sparkling rookie season to snag the Syndicate League's Chris Cota Rookie Of The Year Award for 2040.

In 158 games, the Las Vegas shortstop hit .289 with 174 hits, 24 home runs, 78 RBIs, 86 walks, 85 runs scored and a .377 on-base percentage.

Jose DeLeon of the Hawaii Pineapples finished second in voting, while Francisco Solis of the Boston Revolution finished third.