WBSC Premier12 star Aaron Whitefield honoured as Australian Baseball League Best Hitter
The Australian Baseball League (ABL) honoured WBSC Premier12 star Aaron Whitefield as the best hitter of the 2024-25 season. Whitefield, 28, is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) centre fielder who plays for the Melbourne Aces. He was Australia's starting centre fielder at the Premier12 2019 and 2024.
The ABL revealed its individual awards during its semifinal series.
Alexander Wells of the Sydney Blue Sox earned the Helms Award as the ABL regular season MVP. The former MLB left-hander represented Australia at the World Baseball Classic 2017 and joined the ABL for the first time as a 27-year-old for the 2024-25 season.
Brooke Knight of the Sydney Blue Sox won the Manager of the Year Award. After winning just 23 games in the previous two seasons, the White Sox won 24 in the 2024-25 campaign.
Jaylin Rae of the Sydney Blue Sox was named the Rookie of the Year. The 23-year-old hit .292 with 14 RBIs in 14 games and stole eight bases. Rae just graduated from Western Kentucky University. He represented Australia at the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024 and the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2019.
Jason Matthews of the Canberra Cavalry won the Defensive Player of the Year Award. The second baseman committed only one error in 259 innings and was involved in 24 double plays.
Veteran right-hander Tyler Beardsley of the Perth Heat was named the Reliever of the Year.
Viticon Stadium in Brisbane, the host city of the 2032 Olympics and home to the ABL Bandits, was honoured the best playing field in the league.
Paul Latta received the Umpire of the Year Award. The Queensland State Umpiring Director has participated in the Global Baseball Games 2024 and will return to Osaka for the Samurai Japan Series in March.
The Adelaide Giants received the Best Broadcast Award. Eric Balnar and Phil Herden led the broadcast with analyst Craig Watts as a regular colour man on the call.
Canberra Cavalry will face Perth Heat in the Australian Baseball League 2024-25 final series. The winner will claim the 2025 Claxton Shield. Empire Ballpark in Perth will host the best-of-three series on Friday, January 3, Saturday, February 1 and Sunday, February 2.