The New York Yankees celebrated the achievements of two rising stars during a special ceremony at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, presenting catcher Rafael Flores and right-handed pitcher Cam Schlittler with the distinguished 2024 Kevin Lawn Awards. Flores received recognition as the organization’s Minor League “Position Player of the Year,” while Schlittler earned the title of “Pitcher of the Year,” highlighting their exceptional contributions throughout the previous season.
Background of Yankees’ Kevin Lawn Awards
Established to honor the memory of Kevin O’Brien Lawn—son of longtime Yankees Vice President and Chief of Operations Jack Lawn, who died in 1999—these annual awards acknowledge outstanding performance within the Yankees’ farm system. Recipients are presented with a commemorative trophy and an engraved designer timepiece, symbolizing their excellence and commitment throughout the season.
Rafael Flores: The hottest spring talent
Rafael Flores, 24, has demonstrated impressive development since joining the Yankees organization as a non-drafted free agent on July 25, 2022. Throughout his three minor league seasons spanning 2022-2024, Flores has compiled a .272 batting average with 31 home runs and 115 RBIs across 231 games.
His 2024 campaign proved particularly remarkable as he divided his time between High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset. During this stretch, Flores posted a .279 average, connected for 21 home runs, and drove in 68 runs across 122 games.
These numbers positioned him prominently among Yankees prospects in several offensive categories. He ranked second in home runs, doubles, extra-base hits, and total bases; third in hits; and fifth in RBIs, slugging percentage, and OPS (.874). His skills behind the plate have also garnered attention from Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who noted, “Rafael is going to be a really good catcher in this league for a long time.”
Cam Schlittler: Dominating MiLB mound
Fellow 24-year-old Cam Schlittler has made remarkable progress since the Yankees selected him in the seventh round of the 2022 First-Year Player Draft from Northeastern University. Over his two minor league seasons (2023-2024), Schlittler has recorded a 3.56 ERA while striking out 204 batters across 166.2 innings.
The 2024 season saw Schlittler make 25 appearances while climbing through three levels of the Yankees’ system—High-A Hudson Valley, Double-A Somerset, and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. During this journey, he compiled an 8-8 record with a 3.36 ERA and an impressive 154 strikeouts.
Schlittler led all qualified Yankees minor league pitchers in strikeouts and earned recognition as the South Atlantic League’s “Pitcher of the Year.” Boone has expressed enthusiasm about Schlittler’s potential, observing, “You see the stuff, and, man, it jumps. The fastball really plays.”
Implications for the Yankees’ future
The accomplishments of Flores and Schlittler underscore the depth and quality present within the Yankees’ developmental pipeline. Their progression not only highlights individual excellence but also points toward a promising future for the organization. As the Yankees continue investing in player development, the success of these prospects reflects the effectiveness of their scouting network and training methodologies.
Most famous award winners
| Year and Winners | ||
| 2023 | C Ben Rice (HV/TAM/SOM) | RHP Chase Hampton (HV/SOM) |
| 2022 | OF Jasson Domínguez (TAM/HV/SOM) | RHP Will Warren (HV/SOM) |
| 2021 | SS Anthony Volpe (TAM/HV) | RHP Hayden Wesneski (HV/SOM/SWB) |
| 2018 | INF Brandon Wagner (TAM/TRE) | RHP Michael King (TAM/TRE/SWB) |
| 2017 | 3B Miguel Andújar (TRE/SWB) | RHP Domingo Acevedo (TAM/TRE/SWB) |
| 2016 | OF Aaron Judge (SWB) | RHP Chance Adams (TAM/TRE) |
| 2015 | C Gary Sánchez (TRE/SWB) | RHP Luis Severino (TRE/SWB) |
| 2014 | INF Rob Refsnyder (TRE/SWB) | RHP Luis Severino (CHA/TAM/TRE) |
| 2008 | OF Brett Gardner (SWB) | LHP Phil Coke (TRE/SWB) |
| 1995 | SS Derek Jeter (COL) | RHP Matt Drews (TAM) |
| 1994 | SS Derek Jeter (TAM/ALB/COL) | LHP Andy Pettitte (COL/ALB) |
| 1981 | 1B Don Mattingly (COL) | LHP Pete Filson (FTL/NSH) |
The recognition of Rafael Flores and Cam Schlittler with the 2024 Kevin Lawn Awards stands as a testament to their dedication, perseverance, and exceptional performance. As they continue their professional journeys toward the major leagues, their stories serve as inspiration for teammates and fans alike, embodying the tradition of excellence that has long defined the New York Yankees organization.
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