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The Arizona Diamondbacks revealed on Wednesday that catcher Carlos Virahonda has been selected as the organization's Minor League Player of the Year, while right-handed pitcher David Hagaman earned Minor League Pitcher of the Year honors. Both athletes made significant contributions to the Amarillo Sod Poodles' run to the Texas League Championship.
Virahonda, rated as Arizona's fifth-best prospect by MLB Pipeline, spent the majority of the 2026 campaign with Single-A Visalia and High-A Hillsboro before being assigned to Amarillo on September 8 for the final week of the regular season. In 10 combined regular-season and postseason appearances with the Sod Poodles, the 20-year-old Venezuelan backstop posted a .343 batting average, collecting 12 hits in 35 at-bats, along with nine runs scored, three doubles, three home runs, six RBIs, and a 1.175 OPS. He reached base five times in Amarillo's Game 2 triumph over Frisco in the Texas League South Division Series and went deep in each of the first two contests of the Texas League Championship Series against Springfield.
Across all levels in 2026, Virahonda paced all Diamondbacks minor leaguers with 94 RBIs, finished tied for third in the organization with 19 home runs, and ranked ninth with 185 total bases.
Hagaman, the top-ranked pitcher and fourth overall prospect in Arizona's farm system according to MLB Pipeline, opened the season with Hillsboro and made 15 starts before being promoted to Amarillo on August 4. The right-hander fanned 10 batters over five innings in his Sod Poodles debut on August 7 on the road against Arkansas. In seven starts with Amarillo through the end of the regular season, he compiled a 2-2 record with a 2.55 ERA, surrendering 10 earned runs in 35.1 innings and never allowing more than three runs in any outing. During August, Hagaman ranked second in Double-A with 38 strikeouts. Including an August 1 start with Hillsboro, he produced three 10-strikeout games during the month, the most of any minor league pitcher. The West Virginia University product led all Diamondbacks farmhands with 132 strikeouts for the year and placed third in the organization with a 2.87 ERA among pitchers with at least 20 appearances.
Hagaman was acquired by Arizona in a July 31, 2025, trade with the Texas Rangers that also brought left-handers Kohl Drake and former Sod Poodle Mitch Bratt to the Diamondbacks in exchange for right-hander Merrill Kelly.
Key Analysis
The recognition of Virahonda and Hagaman underscores the impact of Arizona's player development system, as both prospects delivered standout performances while helping Amarillo secure a Texas League title. Their achievements highlight the depth of talent in the Diamondbacks' minor league pipeline and suggest a bright future for the organization.
Originally reported by newschannel10.