In the closest ballot in five years, Cole Ragans of Poovey Farms became the first rookie in a generation to win the Ben McDonald Award as the DMBL's top pitcher.
Despite being traded midseason, Nolan Jones won the Pat Listach Award as the league's top rookie, becoming the second consecutive No. 1 overall pick to take home the award.
The field of candidates for the Ben McDonald Award, which goes to the DMBL's best pitcher, might mark a shift in in 2024, away from power pitchers and innings eaters to a more SABRmetric model.
Rookies are a funny bunch. Some are drafted in the 1st round and make an immediate impact. Others are drafted as prospects and may spend years on rosters before they even make an impact - if they ever do.