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Pittsburgh Pirates 2018 minor league awards

By Benjamin Chase

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 23: Nick Kingham #49 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch in the first inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on September 23, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 23: Nick Kingham #49 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch in the first inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on September 23, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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Pittsburgh Pirates Minor League Hitter of the Year: Jonah Davis

Level(s): advanced rookie Bristol
Stats: .306/.398/.612/1.010, 51 G, 241 PA, 15 2B, 6 3B, 12 HR, 6 SB, 27/59 BB/K

Typically, a draftee that season isn’t going to have time to put up enough numbers to establish himself as the top performer in a season. That was not the case for Jonah Davis when the Pittsburgh Pirates selected him from Cal-Berkeley in the 15th round.

Davis was able to not only flash impressive defensive range in center field for Bristol, but he also put together a very complete offensive line. He hit for power, with 33 extra base hits in 51 games. He showed off his baserunning acumen with 6 triples and 6 stolen bases (though he struggled with stolen base success with 5 caught stealing).

Runners-up

Arguably the best offensive prospect in the system, Ke’Bryan Hayes is most well-known for his stellar defense at third base. He definitely added an offensive edge with his performance in AA in 2018, hitting .293/.375/.444 with 31 doubles, 7 triples, 7 home runs, and 12 stolen bases.

Kevin Kramer has struggled to establish himself since being drafted in the 2nd round in 2015 out of UCLA. He finally made his Pittsburgh Pirates debut this season after breaking through in AAA with Indianapolis, hitting .311/.365/.492, finally combining his power and speed as he hit 35 doubles, 3 triples, 15 home runs, and 13 stolen bases.

His defense was not great at shortstop in 2018, but Oneil Cruz showed very well at the plate at low-A West Virginia. The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Cruz from the Dodgers in 2017 and saw him struggle to finish 2017 in West Virginia, but heading back there in 2018, he broke loose, hitting .286/.343/.488 with 25 doubles, 7 triples, 14 home runs, and 11 stolen bases.

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