Former Midwest League players Carlos Correa and Prince Fielder are among the four Sporting News award winners that were announced Monday.
Correa was named SN’s American League Rookie of the Year. The Houston Astros shortstop batted .279 with 22 HR, 68 RBI and 14 SB in 99 major-league games. His 22 home runs set a new Astros rookie record.
Correa batted .320 with 9 HR, 86 RBI and 10 SB in 117 games with the 2013 River Bandits, who won the Midwest League championship title.
Fielder was named SN’s American League Comeback Player of the Year. The Texas Rangers designated hitter/first baseman batted .305 with 23 HR and 98 RBI in 158 games a year after batting .247 with 3 HR and 16 RBI in 42 games before neck surgery ended his season in May.
Fielder played 169 games with the 2002-03 Beloit Snappers, cumulatively batting .300 with 30 HR and 123 RBI. He was named the Midwest League MVP and Prospect of the Year in 2003.
Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant was named SN’s National League Rookie of the Year, and New York Mets RHP Matt Harvey was named the NL Comeback Player of the Year. Neither played in the Midwest League.
Sporting News awards are determined by player vote.