The Pirates have announced their first round of minor league awards for the 2026 season, selecting infielder Johan De Los Santos as the Rookie-Level Player of the Year and Irwin Ramirez as Rookie-Level Pitcher of the Year. Cecilio Beltre was chosen as Staff Member of the Year. He’s been in the Pirates organization for 25 years, the last nine as senior advisor/mentor in the Dominican Summer League.
De Los Santos played a combined 52 games with the Florida Complex League Pirates and Low-A Bradenton, hitting .270 with 39 stolen bases. He’s number eleven on the Bucs’ prospect list by MLB Pipeline. Interestingly, his ranking passed his older brother Yordanny’s ranking. Also playing for Bradenton, Yordanny hit 17 home runs with 63 RBIs this year.
Ramirez also played for the FCL Pirates and Bradenton. He was 1-1 with a 3.67 ERA in the Complex League and struggled at first in Low-A, but rebounded to give up just one run in three of his final four appearances.
Three more minor league awards will be announced today: the Willie Stargell Slugger of the Year, Kent Tekulve Reliever of the Year and Bill Mazeroski Defender of the Year.
The Honus Wagner Player of the Year and Bob Friend Pitcher of the Year will be announced tomorrow.
