The awards, which return after a 2020 hiatus, remain at five categories:
- Player of the Year – UT Jake Noll
- Pitcher of the Year – RHP Cade Cavalli
- “Nationals Way” Award – IF Jack Dunn
- Defensive Player – OF Donovan Casey
- Baserunner of the Year – SS Jordy Barley
Noll had a career year for the Rochester Redwings, posting season highs in BA, OBP, and SLG% and tying his season-best 17HRs (2017), which was second-best in the minors to teammate Daniel Palka’s 18. Noll, who turned 27 in March, was taken with the Nats’ 7th Rd. pick in the 2016 Draft.
Cavalli, the Nats’ top pitching prospect, started in High-A Wilmington and finished in AAA Rochester, with a 3-1 record and a 1.77/1.63/0.89 linein seven GS for the Blue Rocks; a 3-3 record, 2.79/3.02/1.28 line in 11 starts for the Senators, and a 1-5 record 7.30/4.54/1.86 record for the Red Wings. The 23-y.o. was the Nats’ #1 pick in 2020.
Dunn, 25, spent all of 2021 with the Blue Rocks and posted a line of .276/.359/.350 in 65 games at all four infield positions, two games in LF, and appeared twice in relief with two scoreless innings with two hits, no walks, and no strikeouts. Dunn was the 20th Rd. pick in 2019, signed by current scout (former minor-leaguer) Justin Bloxom.
Casey was one of twelve players acquired at the trade deadline and split time between Harrisburg and Rochester. The 25-y.o. was a 20th Rd. pick for the Dodgers and had two assists and no errors in 50 games.
Barley was also a midseason pickup (Padres) and was deemed the organization’s best baserunner and finished seventh in the organization while playing just 33 games for Washington. Overall, he tallied 45 steals in 56 attempts, though he was caught five times in 17 tries for the FredNats. The IFA from the D.R. will turn 22 in December.