THE APEX TIMES
The Athletics prospect turned a rougher regular season stretch into standout results in the Arizona Fall League, earning Reliever of the Year recognition in MLB’s annual desert awards.
The Arizona Fall League handed out its 2026 awards, and the Reliever of the Year honor went to Athletics right-hander Kenya Huggins.
Huggins, a right-handed pitcher, logged 13 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings in Arizona while posting a 1.74 ERA during Fall League play, per MLB’s award release.
His AFL turnaround followed a more difficult finish in the minors during the same calendar year, when he ended his season with a 6.63 ERA at Double-A Midland.
The broader 2026 AFL awards also recognized Welbyn Francisca as the league’s MVP, Tai Peete as Offensive Player of the Year, and Vance Honeycutt as Defensive Player of the Year.
MLB’s release also noted the Arizona Fall League’s sportsmanship award (the Dernell Stenson Award) and the new Community Champion Award, expanding the set of honors beyond on-field performance.
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