A pair of Dodgers minor leaguers were honored for their work from the week of May 19-25, with Great Lakes pitcher Payton Martin capturing Midwest League pitcher of the week, and shortstop Emil Morales winning the Arizona Complex League player of the week award.
Morales won Dominican Summer League MVP as a 17-year-old last year, and his age-18 season is off to a fantastic start. In five games last week Morales hit .381/.409/.905 with two home runs, two triples, a double, and drive in nine runs.
He’s driven in runs in seven consecutive games dating back to May 17, with 18 RBI in 16 games on the season. Signed by the Dodgers as part of their 2024 international class, Morales was highly regarded on several prospect lists this winter, including four top-10 rankings within the Dodgers system prior to the season.
Martin played with Morales for a few weeks, as the right-hander was working out a few kinks after a rough opening to his season with High-A Great Lakes. In his return engagement with the Loons on Sunday, Martin allowed only one walk in five scoreless and hitless innings at West Michigan, with six strikeouts.
Martin is the first Great Lakes player to win a weekly award in the 2025 season.