We didn’t have a minor league season, but that’s no reason to cancel our James’ Minor League Hitting and Pitching Awards.  Both are named after Phuture Phillies’ founder and benefactor, James. 

Nine eligible prospects were given playing time at the major league level: three position players (MLB debut) – Alec Bohm (8/13), Rafael Marchan (9/14), and Mickey Moniak (9/16); and six pitchers – Ramon Rosso (7/24), Spencer Howard (8/9), Connor Brogdon (8/13), JoJo Romero (8/21), Garrett Cleavinger (9/17), and Adonis Medina (9/20).  So, we can choose from among them.

I’m going to skip polling for the Hitters Award.  Alec Bohm had such a stand out year that he should receive consideration for the NL ROY.  In 44 games and 180 plate appearances, Bohm posted a .338/.400/.481/.881 slash.  In 160 at bats, he walked 16 times (8.9%) and struck out 36 times (20.0%).  Bohm has proven to be a clutch hitter.  In 52 plate appearances (42 at bats) with RISP, he has posted a .452/.519/.524/1.043 slash, driven in 18 runs, and scored 17 runs.  He walked 8 times (15.4%) and struck out 4 times (7.7%).

Marchan (9 PA, .500/.556/.1875/1.431) and Moniak (18 PA, .214/.389/.214/.603) had much smaller sample sizes.

The pitchers are a different story.  Here are thumbnails on each.

• Ramon Rosso: 0-1, 6.52 ERA, 7 G, 9.2 IP, 8 BB, 11 K, 72 ERA+, 1.759 WHIP, 7.4 BB9, 10.2 K9.  Rosso gave up a run in his debut and didn’t see game action for over two weeks.  When he was given another chance, he threw two scoreless outings.  He then gave up 2 runs in back-to-back appearances and wasn’t used for 24 days.  He was tabbed to throw two innings in the first game of a double header in September.  Because he was effective and had a low pitch count, Joe broke from the script and the kid didn’t survive the third inning.  Rosso finished with a scoreless appearance 7 days later.
• Spencer Howard: 1-2, 5.92 ERA, 6 GS, 24.1 IP, 10 BB, 23 K, 78 ERA+, 1.644 WHIP, 3.7 BB9, 8.5 K9.  Howard’s season was cut short when he was shut down with a shoulder injury with 2 weeks left.  His best start was probably the five innings he threw against the Nationals in his first win on August 31st.  It was his longest start.  He gave up runs in each of his six starts.
• Connor Brogdon: 1-0, 3.97 ERA, 9 G, 11.1 IP, 5 BB, 17 K, 117 ERA+, 0.882 WHIP, 4.0 BB9, 13.5 K9.  Brogdon made 3 appearances in August.  He had one scoreless outing, but gave up 5 runs in his other two appearances.  When he returned in September, was dominant in 6 appearances.  In 8.2 innings, he allowed one hit and 2 walks (all in one appearance) and struck out 14 batters.  He struck out the final 6 batters he faced across two games, all against the Tampa Rays.
• JoJo Romero: 0-0, 7.59 ERA, 12 G, 10.2 IP, 2 BB, 10 K, 62 ERA+, 1.406 WHIP, 1.7 BB9, 8.4 K9.  Romero had a steady season.  He went scoreless in 8 of his 12 appearances.  He recorded his 4 holds in his first 9 appearances, allowing runs twice in holds.  He got rocked in appearances 10 and 11 – giving up 6 runs in 1.0 innings and recording a blown save.  He concluded the season in his 12th appearance, retiring the final out of the season.
• Garrett Cleavinger: 0-0, 13.50 ERA, 1 G, 0.2 IP, 0 BB,1 K, 51 ERA+, 3.00 WHIP, 0 BB9, 13.5 K9.  Cleavinger made his debut in mid-September and was quickly forgotten after just 10 pitches (9 strikes).
• Adonis Medina: 0-1, 4.50 ERA, 1 G, 4.0 IP, 3 BB, 4 K, 109 ERA+, 1.500 WHIP, 6.8 BB9, 9.0 K9.  Medina was called up to make a start during an 18 games in 14 days stretch.  He had some control issues, but he kept them in the game, allowing 2 runs in 4.0 innings.  He looked okay for a young guy making a start too early at the major league level.

The poll for pitchers is below.

I have blocked repeat voting.

I have hidden the results, so that voters won’t be influenced by the early returns.