Draft history was made last week

It was bound to happen sooner or later. For the first time in DMBL history, an ineligible player was selected No. 1 overall in the annual draft.

End of the line: David Ortiz

On the eve of the start of a new season, some players won't be back for 2018, hanging up their DMBL cleats for good.

How did last year's 1st rounders fare?

The buzz of draft day has barely worn off yet, with the excitement and budding hope keeping owners up through the night mixing and matching their potential new lineups and rotations.

2017 Mitchell Award winner: Miguel Cabrera

In one of the closest votes in recent memory, Miguel Cabrera picked up the first Kevin Mitchell Award of his 14-year career, edging Gary Sanchez, playing in his first DMBL season, by just three points.

2017 McDonald Award winner: Johnny Cueto

Vancouver's Johnny Cueto easily held off three left-handers and was a near-unanimous selection for the 2017 Ben McDonald Award after a league-leading 22-5 mark.

2017 Listach Award winner: Gary Sanchez

Hopatcong's Gary Sanchez blasted a league-high in home runs, a consistent power display that has earned him the Pat Listach Award as the DMBL's top rookie in 2017, outdistancing four other first-year players in official balloting.

2017 Eck Award winner: Seung Hwan Oh

Seung Hwan Oh was a model of efficiency as Tucson's closer, saving 32 of 33 opportunities for the Kingsnakes last season, on his way to the 2017 Eckersley Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award.