Southern League Most Valuable Player Award

Southern League
Most Valuable Player Award
SportBaseball
LeagueSouthern League
Awarded forRegular-season most valuable player of the Southern League
CountryUnited States
Presented bySouthern League
History
First awardMike Reinbach (1972)
Most recentBlake Burke (2026)

The Southern League Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) is an annual award given to the best player in Minor League Baseball's Southern League based on their regular-season performance as voted on by league managers. League broadcasters, Minor League Baseball executives, and members of the media have previously voted as well. Though the league was established in 1964, the award was not created until 1972. After the cancellation of the 2020 season, the league was known as the Double-A South in 2021 before reverting to the Southern League name in 2022.

Twenty-one outfielders have won the MVP Award, the most of any position. First basemen, with 15 winners, have won the most among infielders, followed by third basemen (7) and second basemen and shortstops (2). Eight catchers have also won the award.

Two players who won the MVP Award also won the Southern League Top MLB Prospect Award in the same season: Junior Caminero (2023) and Sal Stewart (2025).

Six players from the Knoxville Smokies have been selected for the MVP Award, more than any other team in the league, followed by the Huntsville Stars and Montgomery Biscuits (5); the Carolina Mudcats, Chattanooga Lookouts, Columbus Mudcats, and Memphis Chicks (4); the Biloxi Shuckers, Birmingham Barons, Jackson Generals, and Jacksonville Suns (3); the Greenville Braves, Mobile BayBears, and Nashville Sounds (2); and the Asheville Orioles, Charlotte O's, Mississippi Braves, Montgomery Rebels, and Orlando Twins (1).

Six players from the Chicago White Sox Major League Baseball (MLB) organization have won the award, more than any other, followed by the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays organizations (5); the Cincinnati Reds and Houston Astros organizations (4); the Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals, and Oakland Athletics organizations (3); the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, and Washington Nationals organizations (2); and the Miami Marlins, San Diego Padres, and Seattle Mariners organizations (1).

Winners

A man in a blue baseball jersey and cap and gray pants
Alan Trammell, the 1977 MVP, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010.
A man in a white baseball uniform and green undersleeves and cap
Jose Canseco, the 1985 winner, was the 1986 American League Rookie of the Year and the 1988 American League MVP.
A man in a red baseball jersey and cap
Joey Votto, the 2006 Most Valuable Player, won the National League MVP Award in 2010.
A man in a gray baseball jersey and navy blue cap
Evan Longoria, the 2007 MVP, won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2008.
Key
Position Indicates the player's primary position
^ Indicates multiple award winners in the same year
Winners
Year Winner Team Organization Position Ref(s).
1972 Mike Reinbach Asheville Orioles Baltimore Orioles Outfielder
1973 Jerry Moxey Columbus Astros Houston Astros Outfielder
1974 Nyls Nyman Knoxville Sox Chicago White Sox Outfielder
1975 Mike Squires First baseman
1976 Larry Foster Outfielder
1977 Alan Trammell Montgomery Rebels Detroit Tigers Shortstop
1978 Eddie Gates Memphis Chicks Montreal Expos Outfielder
1979^ Danny Heep Columbus Astros Houston Astros Outfielder
Alan Knicely Catcher
1980 Steve Balboni Nashville Sounds New York Yankees First baseman
1981 Tim Laudner Orlando Twins Minnesota Twins Catcher
1982 Brian Dayett Nashville Sounds New York Yankees Outfielder
1983 John Morris Jacksonville Suns Kansas City Royals Outfielder
1984 Andrés Galarraga Montreal Expos First baseman
1985 Jose Canseco Huntsville Stars Oakland Athletics Outfielder
1986 Terry Steinbach Catcher
1987 Tom Dodd Charlotte O's Baltimore Orioles First baseman
1988 Matt Winters Memphis Chicks Kansas City Royals Outfielder
1989 Eric Anthony Columbus Mudcats Houston Astros Outfielder
1990 Jeff Conine Memphis Chicks Kansas City Royals First baseman
1991 Ryan Klesko Greenville Braves Atlanta Braves First baseman
1992 Javy López Catcher
1993 Carlos Delgado Knoxville Smokies Toronto Blue Jays Catcher
1994 Mark Johnson Carolina Mudcats Pittsburgh Pirates First baseman
1995 Jason Kendall Catcher
1996 Derrek Lee Memphis Chicks San Diego Padres First baseman
1997 Ben Grieve Huntsville Stars Oakland Athletics Outfielder
1998 Gabe Kapler Jacksonville Suns Detroit Tigers Outfielder
1999 Brady Clark Chattanooga Lookouts Cincinnati Reds Outfielder
2000 Joe Crede Birmingham Barons Chicago White Sox Third baseman
2001 Josh Phelps Tennessee Smokies Toronto Blue Jays Catcher
2002 Aaron Miles Birmingham Barons Chicago White Sox Second baseman
2003 Corey Hart Huntsville Stars Milwaukee Brewers Third baseman
2004 Richard Lewis West Tenn Diamond Jaxx Chicago Cubs Second baseman
2005 Delmon Young Montgomery Biscuits Tampa Bay Devil Rays Outfielder
2006 Joey Votto Chattanooga Lookouts Cincinnati Reds First baseman
2007 Evan Longoria Montgomery Biscuits Tampa Bay Devil Rays Third baseman
2008 Gaby Sánchez Carolina Mudcats Florida Marlins First baseman
2009 Desmond Jennings Montgomery Biscuits Tampa Bay Rays Outfielder
2010 Dave Sappelt Carolina Mudcats Cincinnati Reds Outfielder
2011 Paul Goldschmidt Mobile BayBears Arizona Diamondbacks First baseman
2012 Hunter Morris Huntsville Stars Milwaukee Brewers First baseman
2013 Marcus Semien Birmingham Barons Chicago White Sox Shortstop
2014 Jake Lamb Mobile BayBears Arizona Diamondbacks Third baseman
2015 Max Kepler Chattanooga Lookouts Minnesota Twins Outfielder
2016 Tyler O'Neill Jackson Generals Seattle Mariners Outfielder
2017 Kevin Cron Arizona Diamondbacks First baseman
2018 Corey Ray Biloxi Shuckers Milwaukee Brewers Outfielder
2019 Drew Waters Mississippi Braves Atlanta Braves Outfielder
2020 None selected (season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic)
2021 Jonathan Aranda Montgomery Biscuits Tampa Bay Rays First baseman
2022 Jakson Reetz Biloxi Shuckers Milwaukee Brewers Catcher
2023 Junior Caminero Montgomery Biscuits Tampa Bay Rays Third baseman
2024 Matt Shaw Tennessee Smokies Chicago Cubs Third baseman
2025 Sal Stewart Chattanooga Lookouts Cincinnati Reds Third baseman
2026 Blake Burke Biloxi Shuckers Milwaukee Brewers First baseman

Wins by team

Active Southern League teams appear in bold.

Team Award(s) Year(s)
Knoxville Smokies (Knoxville Sox/Tennessee Smokies) 6 1974, 1975, 1976, 1993, 2001, 2024
Huntsville Stars 5 1985, 1986, 1997, 2003, 2012
Montgomery Biscuits 2005, 2007, 2009, 2021, 2023
Carolina Mudcats 4 1994, 1995, 2008, 2010
Chattanooga Lookouts 1999, 2006, 2015, 2025
Columbus Mudcats (Columbus Astros) 1973, 1979, 1989
Memphis Chicks 1978, 1988, 1990, 1996
Biloxi Shuckers 3 2018, 2022, 2026
Birmingham Barons 2000, 2002, 2013
Jackson Generals (West Tenn Diamond Jaxx) 2004, 2016, 2017
Jacksonville Suns 1983, 1984, 1998
Greenville Braves 2 1991, 1992
Mobile BayBears 2011, 2014
Nashville Sounds 1980, 1982
Asheville Orioles 1 1972
Charlotte O's 1987
Mississippi Braves 2019
Montgomery Rebels 1977
Orlando Twins 1981

Wins by organization

Active Southern League–Major League Baseball affiliations appear in bold.

Organization Award(s) Year(s)
Chicago White Sox 6 1974, 1975, 1976, 2000, 2002, 2013
Milwaukee Brewers 5 2003, 2012, 2018, 2022, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays (Tampa Bay Devil Rays) 2005, 2007, 2009, 2021, 2023
Cincinnati Reds 4 1999, 2006, 2010, 2025
Houston Astros 1973, 1979, 1989
Arizona Diamondbacks 3 2011, 2014, 2017
Atlanta Braves 1991, 1992, 2019
Kansas City Royals 1983, 1988, 1990
Oakland Athletics 1985, 1986, 1997
Baltimore Orioles 2 1972, 1987
Chicago Cubs 2004, 2024
Detroit Tigers 1977, 1998
Minnesota Twins 1981, 2015
New York Yankees 1980, 1982
Pittsburgh Pirates 1994, 1995
Toronto Blue Jays 1993, 2001
Washington Nationals (Montreal Expos) 1978, 1984
Miami Marlins (Florida Marlins) 1 2008
San Diego Padres 1996
Seattle Mariners 2016

Notes

  1. ↑ Two players from Columbus were selected as MVPs in 1979.
  2. ↑ Two players from the Houston organization were selected as MVPs in 1979.

References

Specific

  1. 1 2 Terranova, Rob (November 8, 2022). "Double-A Award Winners and All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  2. ↑ Jackson, Josh (October 6, 2021). "MiLB's Double-A Award Winners and All-Stars". Major League Baseball. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Southern League (AA) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Southern League Award Winners". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  5. 1 2 "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  6. ↑ Reichard, Kevin (February 12, 2021). "Minor League Baseball Overhaul Unveiled". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  8. 1 2 Trezza, Joe. "The 2023 Double-A All-Stars and Award Winners". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  9. 1 2 Weinrib, Ben (September 23, 2025). "The 2025 Double-A All-Stars and Award Winners". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on September 24, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Alan Trammell Stats". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Jose Canseco Stats". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Joey Votto Stats". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Evan Longoria Stats". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Mike Reinbach Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Jerry Moxey Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Nyls Nyman Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Mike Squires Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Larry Foster Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Alan Trammell Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Eddie Gates Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Danny Heep Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Alan Knicely Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Steve Balboni Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Tim Laudner Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Brian Dayett Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  26. ↑ "John Morris Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Andres Galarraga Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Jose Canseco Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Terry Steinbach Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  30. ↑ "Tom Dodd Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Matt Winters Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  32. ↑ "Eric Anthony Minor, Japanese, Independent & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  33. ↑ "Jeff Conine Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  34. ↑ "Ryan Klesko Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Javy Lopez Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  36. ↑ "Carlos Delgado Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  37. ↑ "Mark Johnson Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  38. ↑ "Jason Kendall Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  39. ↑ "Derrek Lee Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  40. ↑ "Ben Grieve Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  41. ↑ "Gabe Kapler Minor & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  42. ↑ "Brady Clark Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  43. ↑ "Joe Crede Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  44. ↑ "Josh Phelps Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  45. ↑ "Aaron Miles Minor, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  46. ↑ "Corey Hart Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  47. ↑ "Richard Lewis Minor, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  48. ↑ "Delmon Young Fall, Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  49. ↑ "Joey Votto Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  50. ↑ "Evan Longoria Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  51. ↑ "Gaby Sanchez Minor, Fall, Winter & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  52. ↑ "Desmond Jennings Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  53. ↑ "Dave Sappelt Minor, Winter, Fall, Mexican & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  54. ↑ "Paul Goldschmidt Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  55. ↑ "Hunter Morris Fall, Minor, College & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  56. ↑ "Marcus Semien College, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  57. ↑ "Jake Lamb Amateur, College, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  58. ↑ "Max Kepler Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  59. ↑ "Tyler O'Neill Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  60. ↑ "Kevin Cron College, Amateur, Minor, Fall, Japanese & Korean Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  61. ↑ "Corey Ray Amateur, College, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  62. ↑ "Drew Waters Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  63. ↑ "Postseason All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  64. ↑ "Jonathan Aranda Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  65. ↑ "Jakson Reetz Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  66. ↑ "Junior Caminero Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  67. ↑ "Minor League Postseason All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  68. ↑ "Matt Shaw Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  69. ↑ "Sal Stewart Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
  70. ↑ Weinrib, Ben (September 21, 2026). "Here are the 2026 Double-A All-Stars and Award Winners". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on September 22, 2026. Retrieved September 21, 2026.
  71. ↑ "Blake Burke Amateur, College & Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 21, 2026.

General