Miami Marlins prospect and Sydney Blue Sox superstar Eric Rataczak has been announced as the Australian Baseball League’s Helms Award Winner, bestowed upon the league’s most valuable player. In 38 regular season games, Rataczak slashed .336/.411/.571 with seven home runs and three stolen bases. He tied for the league lead with 19 extra-base hits.
The Helms Award was voted on by ABL team representatives, officials and media members. The other award finalists were Nick Ward and Robbie Perkins, two ABL veterans in their early 30s.
Rataczak’s Blue Sox team posted the league’s best regular season record, but fell in the ABL Championship Series.
Drafted by the Marlins in 2024 out of Niagara University, Rataczak received a modest $75k signing bonus. He has appeared in 101 minor league games across three levels, slashing .238/.350/.345 with six homers, 17 steals and a 107 wRC+. The vast majority of his MiLB defensive reps have come at the corner outfield spots, but the Blue Sox used him exclusively at first base.
Rataczak was one of 22 players in the Marlins organization who participated in fall/winter leagues during the 2025-26 offseason.
Rataczak, who turned 25 earlier this month, will attend minor league camp this spring. He’s likely to return to Double-A Pensacola, where he spent the final month of the 2025 MiLB campaign.