Ethan McKiddy had a season that has yet to be seen in the LABL. The Diamond Dogs catcher took home MVP honors as well as hitter of the year for his stellar season at the plate and behind the dish. Ethan would finish the regular season hitting .493 with a 1.451 OPS, 4 home runs (6 after playoffs), 25 RBIs, and 33 hits ultimately winning the league's first triple crown and setting multiple offensive records. McKiddy was a huge part of the Dogs' season and after a memorable season narrowly missing a championship was a deserving winner of MVP and OPOY. 

 

2015 winner - Eric Sanders/Stallions (MVP)

2015 winner - Justin Cain/Smokies (OPOY)

 

Pitcher of the Year:

 

Donnie Johnson of the Stallions is doing his best to get the pitcher of the year award to be named after him by the time his playing days are done. The recent Campbellsvile University Hall of Fame inductee has now earned pitcher of the year twice now, the first being in 2014. Johnson also has 2 championships (14 & 15) and a MVP (2014) under his belt. This year Johnson had to fight for wins as the Stallions struggled to put up runs, but even outside the 3 wins he dominated. Donnie finished the year with 3 wins, over 70 Ks, an ERA of a mind boggling 0.81, and a WHIP that barely hit 1.00. Donnie's pinpoint control and lights out slider sets him apart from every other pitcher in the league and is what you envision in a pitcher of the year.

 

2015 winner - Eric Sanders/Stallions

 

Defensive Player of the Year:

 

The managers vote ended in two players getting co-honors for defensive player of the year in 2016. Austin Jones of the Bombers and the Smokies' do it all Sal Olivet were the recipients of the award this year. Austin Jones was the bright spot defensively for the Bombers as he has gained a reputation as one of the best shortstops in the LABL in his rookie season. Jones made plays up the middle all season long and was a big part of the improvement made by the Bombers in 2016. Sal Olivet did everything he was called upon to do for the Smokies in 2016 and help lead his team to their 3rd championship appearance in the LABL's first 3 seasons. Sal's primary spot is second base where he routinely makes plays, but Sal will also slide over to short when needed, and this year stepped up as the team's back up catcher. Sal played 3 crucial positions and finished the season with just 3 errors (.970 FPCT.) while throwing out 40% of runners from behind the dish. 

 

2015 winner - Stephen D'Addario/Smokies (3rd Base)

 

Rookie of the Year:

 

The Bombers were vastly improved this season, specifically with the bats. The turnaround was filled some returners from the one win team in 2015, but the infusion was led by rookies in 2016. Michael Oaks set the pace of the team as the catcher and pitcher takes home rookie of the year honors for this year. Oaks hit .443 on the season to finish second in batting average. He added a home run, 23 RBIs, and 18 runs. Oaks looks to be a force in the middle of the Bombers line up for years to come and with numbers like that he will be one of the league's most feared hitters if he continues to build on the great rookie season. 

 

2015 winner - Daniel Kusakari/Diamond Dogs

 

Championship Playoff Tourney MVP:

 

Sal Olivet led the Smokies' offense to a championship in 2016. Others from the Smokies such as Justin Cain and Chris Works all could have been added with Sal to win the tournament MVP award as multiple players contributed to the undefeated tournament run by the Smokies. However, Sal led the charge with 8 RBIs and was ultra-clutch throughout the playoffs. Sal had to unexpectedly start behind the plate in the team's first playoff game and would go on to collect 4 RBIs in the 17-6 win. In the game that would decide who goes to the championship out of the winner's bracket vs the Stallions and Donnie Johnson on the bump, Sal would collect the walk off hit in the bottom of the ninth to send the Smokies to their third straight championship appearance. Sal would go on to collect a couple more RBIs in the championship win for the Smokies.

 

2015 winner - Donnie Johnson/Stallions