Following a successful campaign in which the Swamp Foxes advanced as far as the Geoghegan Round of the playoffs, there was no shortage of candidates for these awards. Many players in the majors and minors stepped up with standout performances, as Cape Fear demonstrated to be one of the top up-and-coming franchises of the BBA.
Here's a rundown of the awards presented:
Most Valuable Fox Award (Top position player, BBA level)
Martínez led the Swamp Foxes' offense in a handful of categories, including batting average (.341), slugging percentage (.564), and runs scored (114). His presence in the heart of the batting order was crucial to the Swamp Foxes' offensive success, as he constantly fueled rallies with a team-leading 84 extra-base hits. He proved himself an above average defender in right field, and even filled in at center a couple times. He finished the year with 5th-highest WAR in the BBA, and will finish top ten in JL Sawyer Silk voting.
Apex Pitcher Award (Top pitcher, BBA level)
Cobar will likely win the JL Jason Egan Reliever Award, and is currently 6th in Gillstrom voting, and deservingly so. Numbers-wise, he led the Foxes' pitching staff in wins (even including the starters), and posted the lowest ERA for a Cape Fear/Rockville reliever since Dave Houston in 2040. He was the one constant in the late innings for the Swamp Foxes, often throwing multiple innings to protect the lead in close games. At just 21 years old, Cobar may be the closer/stopper of the future for Cape Fear.
Most Valuable Silver Fox Award (Top-performing veteran, BBA level)
Davis is the obvious choice, as he anchored the rotation for the Swamp Foxes, and even earned an All-Star selection for the second time in his career, the last time being fourteen years ago! His ERA (3.47) and WHIP (1.22) were both tops among full-time Foxes' starters, and he also led the staff with 14 Quality Starts. He'll be a free agent after the Monty Series, but surely having been with the organization for as long as he has, Cape Fear will try to extend him.
Top Kit Fox Award (Minor League player of the year)
Popleteev spent 47 games as the closer for the Triple-A Dodge City Gunslingers, saving 26 games in 30 opportunities, while posting a 1.63 ERA. Those are top-tier numbers for that level of competition. And the league certainly thought so, as Popleteev's performance earned him the RHML (AAA) Roundfield League Reliever of the Year Award, as well as forced a call-up to the big leagues, where he settled nicely into the Swamp Foxes' relief corps.