MIAMI – The Miami Marlins today announced their 2025 Organizational Minor League Awards headlined by outfielder Kemp Alderman and left-handed pitcher Robby Snelling being named Player and Pitcher of the Year, in addition to catcher Jeremy Almonte recognized as Student of the Year and High-A Beloit Manager Angel Espada selected as Staff Member of the Year.
In addition, the Marlins organization named the following players as the Most Valuable Player for their respective Minor League affiliates:
- Triple-A Jacksonville – outfielder Jakob Marsee
- Double-A Pensacola MVP – left-handed pitcher Thomas White
- High-A Beloit MVP – right-handed pitcher Karson Milbrandt
- Single-A Jupiter MVP – right-handed pitcher Eliazar Dishmey
- FCL Marlins MVP left-handed pitcher Nate Payne
- DSL Miami MVP José Castro
- DSL Marlins MVP outfielder Luis Cova
Alderman, 23, and Miami’s No. 10 Prospect per MLB Pipeline, led Miami’s Minor League system in hits (139), home runs (22), extra-base hits (47), RBI (70), and total bases (235). In 110 games with Double-A Pensacola before his promotion to Triple-A Jacksonville on Aug. 31, he led the Blue Wahoos in hits (116), home runs (15), triples (5), extra-base hits (33), RBI (53), OPS (.784) (min 150 AB), and games played (110).The University of Mississippi product recorded 31 multi-hit games with Pensacola and became the first player in Blue Wahoos history to win Southern League Player of the Week three different times (March 31-Apr. 6, May 26-June 1, and July 28-Aug. 3). Earlier this month, Alderman was named a 2025 Southern League All-Star.
Snelling, 22, Miami’s No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, completed his first full season within the organization after being acquired from San Diego in 2024. Between two levels, Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Jacksonville, the Reno, Nev. native led the organization with 25 games started, a 2.51 ERA (38 ER/136.0 IP), and 161 strikeouts while producing a 9-7 record. Additionally, the 6-foot-3 southpaw was named Southern League Pitcher of the Week (May 19-25) and August’s International League Pitcher of the Month.
Almonte, 19, has been named the organization’s Student of the Year, continuing his studies during his time spent with the Florida Complex League Marlins in 2025. The catcher, who was originally signed by Miami as an International free agent in January 2023, “has made remarkable progress in English to thrive on and off the field, while also learning his high school diploma with honors during the season”, said Marlins Director of Education Doris Gonzalez. The Marlins organization is proud to recognize Almonte due to his unwavering growth mindset and dedication to learning.
Espada enjoyed his first season managing High-A Beloit Sky Carp and his eighth managing within the Marlins organization. He led Beloit squad featuring Miami’s top three selections from the 2025 First-Year Draft, shortstop Aiva Arquette, outfielder Cam Cannarella, and outfielder Brandon Compton, to a 38-27 second-half record (68-63 overall), which led the Sky Carp to a Midwest League West Division Championship, the first since Miami became affiliated with Beloit, and the club’s first post-season appearance since 2013, but lost in the Midwest League Divisional Series to Cedar Rapids. He is one of the longest tenured coaches within the Marlins organization, which began in 2009.
Marsee, 24, led the International League with 68 walks and 47 stolen bases through 98 games with Triple-A Jacksonville prior to his promotion to the Majors on Aug. 1. He helped the Jumbo Shrimp to a 47-28 first-half record where they clinched an International League post-season appearance. While in Jacksonville, the Allen Park, Mich. Native tallied 56 runs, 14 doubles, 5 triples, 14 home runs and 37 RBI while producing a .246 batting average (85×345). Since joining the Marlins, the Central Michigan product has reached base safely in 43 of his first 51 games, with 61 hits (26 extra-base hits), 20 walks, and 13 stolen bases. The outfielder was named the National League Rookie of the Month for August, becoming the 11th different Marlins rookie to earn the honor.
White, 20, who is ranked as Miami’s No. 1 Prospect and MLB’s No. 21 Overall Prospect per MLB Pipeline, began the 2025 season with Double-A Pensacola and made 10 starts for the Blue Wahoos, finishing 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA (8 ER/45.1 IP), 24 walks, and 75 strikeouts (14.9 K/9). White struck out 14 batters in just 5.0 innings on July 26 at Knoxville, including a stretch of seven straight. His 14 strikeouts were the most by any Double-A pitcher in a single game this season. The Rowley, Mass. Native was named Southern League Pitcher of the Month for August after finishing 2-0 and leading the Southern League in ERA (1.07, 3 ER/25.1 IP), strikeouts (42) and strikeouts-per-nine (14.92). White also ended August with a Southern League Pitcher of the Week honor (Aug. 25-31) after 5.0 no-hit innings with 10 strikeouts on Aug. 30 vs. Chattanooga (W, 5.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 10 K).
Milbrandt, 21, and Miami’s No. 18 Prospect per MLB Pipeline, led High-A Beloit in strikeouts for a second consecutive season (101 K), tied for ninth in the Midwest League. His 11.75 K/9 led Midwest League pitchers (min. 60.0 IP), as the Liberty, Mo. nativerecorded a 3.26 ERA (28 ER/77.1 IP) across 19 starts in his third professional season. Over his final five starts, he went 2-1 with a 1.38 ERA (4 ER/26.0 IP), 15 walks and 36 strikeouts (12.46 K/9), including two 10-strikeout starts.
Dishmey, 20, recorded a 3.13 ERA (26 ER/74.2 IP) with 76 strikeouts in 17 games (15 starts) with Single-A Jupiter. The Santo Domingo, D.R. native posted a 0.84 ERA (2 ER/21.1 IP) across four June starts with the Hammerheads. He allowed only one run or fewer in nine of his 15 starts and was promoted on Aug. 5 to High-A Beloit, where he finished with a 2.19 ERA (6 ER/24.2 IP) in five starts.
Payne, 20, and Miami’s No. 28 Prospect per MLB Pipeline, led the Florida Complex League in strikeouts (55) and strikeouts per nine (12.48) (min. 37.0 IP). The FCL Marlins’ opening day starter posted a 3.18 ERA (14 ER/39.2 IP) in a team-high 11 starts. In June, the 6-foot-3 southpaw went 2-1 with a 0.98 ERA (2 ER/18.1 IP) and 25 strikeouts, including three-consecutive scoreless starts. The Harrisburg, Penn. native was promoted to Single-A Jupiter on Aug. 2, posting a 3.24 ERA (6 ER/16.2 IP) in six starts with the Hammerheads.
Castro, 18, led the DSL in extra-base hits (30) and posted a .984 OPS across 52 games with DSL Miami. He hit 16 home runs, the most in DSL history for a single season in the stat-tracking era (since 2006). The 6-foot-3 right-handed hitter accomplished the feat on the final day of the regular season (Aug. 19). He also was awarded a DSL Postseason All-Star selection in addition to winning DSL Player of the Week for June 30-July 6 after hitting .500 (8×16) with three doubles, three home runs and nine RBI.
Cova, 18, and Miami’s No. 17 Prospect per MLB Pipeline, also was selected as a DSL Post-Season All-Star after slugging a team-leading nine home runs, 95 total bases, a .537 SLG and 35 stolen bases (4th, DSL) for the Dominican Summer League Marlins. The Puerto Ordaz, Ven. native also drew 34 walks and finished with a .422 OBP in 50 games.
The Miami Marlins will host a pre-game ceremony to celebrate these honorees prior to Saturday’s home game against the New York Mets, with first pitch set for 4:10 p.m. ET.
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