Player of the Year Awards Explained

Offensive Player of the Year. Minor league position player that had the best offensive season in the given year, regardless of prospect status. Major league performance after promotion can be taken into account, but not primarily.

Pitcher of the Year. Minor league pitcher that had the best season in the given year, regardless of prospect status. Major league performance after promotion can be taken into account, but not primarily.

Rookie of the Year. Minor league player, in their first season in the minors, that had the best season in the given year, regardless of prospect status.

Breakout Player of the Year. Minor league player who had the best breakout season in the given year. The award is generally given to a player who made the jump from non-prospect to prospect, or from middling prospect to top prospect.

Comeback Player of the Year. Minor league player who had the best comeback season in the given year. The award is generally given to a player who returned to prospect status or a player who returned from a significant injury or issue. The award is generally noy given to a player "coming back" from a suspension.

Graduate of the Year. Awarded to the best player who graduated from that prospect status in a given year. Contributions at the major league and minor league level can be takein into account.

Homegrown Player of the Year. Awarded to the player still in the Red Sox system, who came up through the Red Sox system in a previous year, who had the best season in the major leagues in the given year.

Ex-Prospect of the Year. Awarded to a former Red Sox prospect who is no longer in the orgainzation, for the best performance in the major leagues or minor leagues in the given year.

DSL Player/Pitcher of the Year. Awarded to the best player and pitcher on the Red Sox Dominican Summer League team(s) in the given season.