Baltimore Orioles Hand Out Minor League Awards During Blue Jays Series

The Baltimore Orioles have not had much to celebrate this year at the major-league level. During Baltimore’s current series at home with the Toronto Blue Jays, they decided to spotlight two players who could shape its future. Baltimore handed out its 2026 Brooks Robinson Minor League Player of the Year and Jim Palmer Pitcher of the Year awards on Monday.

The two winners were shortstop Wehiwa Aloy and left-hander Joseph Dzierwa. The organization announced the honors on X. Both players came out of Baltimore’s 2025 draft class. 

Aloy earned Player of the Year after a strong first full professional season. The 22-year-old, drafted 31st overall out of Arkansas, hit .288 with a .358 on-base percentage and an .864 OPS over 123 games. He also added 25 home runs, 92 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.

The shortstop split the year between two levels. At High-A, he batted .300 with 15 homers, 69 RBIs, 14 doubles and four triples across 84 games. He was promoted to Double-A in July and it did not slow him down. He added 10 more home runs in 39 games. He now ranks among the organization’s top 10 prospects, sitting at 8th, according to MiLB Prospect Rankings.

Dzierwa claimed Pitcher of the Year in his first full season. The 6-foot-8 left-hander was selected with the 58th pick in the 2025 draft out of Michigan State. He went 9-2 with a 2.27 ERA over 131 innings. He struck out 149 batters and walked just 30.

Like Aloy, the southpaw handled a midseason jump to Double-A. He opened the year 5-1 with a 2.21 ERA before his promotion. Then, he posted a 2.29 ERA across 90 1/3 innings at the Double-A level which was impressive considering how the competition got much more challenging. Dzierwa is now currently the 3rd ranked prospect in Baltimore’s system.

Both Aloy and Dzierwa could eventually make their debuts in 2027. Dzierwa is considered closer than Aloy, especially considering that Aloy will likely have to change positions.

He is roadblocked at shortstop with Gunnar Henderson currently occupying the spot in the big leagues. Baltimore also already has plenty of infielders including Jackson Holliday, Blaze Alexander, Coby Mayo and Jordan Westburg.

It has been a difficult year for the Orioles. However, they have continued to make the right decisions in the minor leagues. President of baseball operations Mike Elias is certainly on the hot seat given Baltimore is likely missing the MLB playoffs. However, he has continued to draft extremely well.