Little League® Graduates Shine in 2022 MLB World Series and Postseason Awards

2022 MLB Fall Classic Graphic

From the biggest moments throughout the playoffs, to hoisting the Commissioner’s Trophy, Little League® graduates shined in the spotlight during the 2022 MLB Postseason, including making their mark in the record books throughout the World Series.

With the Houston Astros taking home the 2022 Commissioner’s Trophy, Dusty Baker made history as the oldest manager to win a World Series title at the age of 73 years old. A 2007 enshrinee to the Little League Hall of Excellence, Mr. Baker has served as a tremendous role model for Little Leaguers everywhere and earlier this year had the opportunity to experience a special moment exchanging lineups at home plate with his son, Darren, during a Spring Training game with the Washington Nationals.

A native of Providence, Rhode Island, and an Elmwood Little League graduate, Jeremy Peña, also made history throughout the Fall Classic, becoming the first rookie shortstop to hit a home run in the World Series en-route to being named the recipient of the Willie Mays Most Valuable Player trophy and the first rookie shortstop to earn a Gold Glove award. His World Series MVP honor also was history-setting, making him the first rookie position player to earn the award.

History was also made behind the plate during the 2022 World Series by a former Little League volunteer as Pat Hoberg called a “perfect game” as the home plate umpire in Game Two of the Fall Classic, making the correct call on all 129 taken pitches throughout the game. Raised in a Little League family, Mr. Hoberg got his start as an umpire calling local Little League games two decades ago in Urbandale, Iowa, and his father served as a District Administrator throughout Iowa for years.

The defending National League Champion, Philadelphia Phillies, will also be returning to Williamsport in August for the 2023 MLB Little League Classic, where they’ll face off against the Washington Nationals after visiting the Little League Baseball® World Series on Sunday, August 20, 2023.

In addition to the incredible moments seen during the 2022 Fall Classic, below are the Little League graduates who took home the 2022 MLB Postseason Awards:

Nolan Arenado (St. Louis Cardinals) – Lake Forest (Calif.) LL

  • National League Gold Glove (3B)
  • National League Platinum Glove
  • National League Silver Slugger (3B)

Xander Bogaerts – Aruba South LL – 2009 SLBWS

  • American League Silver Slugger (SS)

Shane Bieber – Laguna Hills LL (Orange, Calif.)

  • American League Gold Glove (P)

Brandon Drury – Grants Pass (Ore.) American LL

  • National League Silver Slugger (UT)

Max Fried – Encino (Calif.) LL

  • National League Gold Glove (P)

Aaron Judge (New York Yankees) – Linden (Calif.) LL

  • Players Choice Player of the Year
  • Players Choice Outstanding American League Player
  • American League Silver Slugger (OF)
  • American League Hank Aaron Award
  • American League MVP

Steven Kwan (Cleveland Guardians) – Sunnyvale (Calif.) Southern LL

  • American League Gold Glove (LF)

D.J. LeMahieu – East Madison LL (Visalia, Calif.)

  • American League Gold Glove (UT)

Jeff McNeil – Goleta Valley South LL (Santa Barbara, Calif)

  • National League Silver Slugger (2B)

Kyle Tucker (Houston Astros) – Tampa Bay (Fla.) LL

  • American League Gold Glove (RF)

Trea Turner – West Boynton Beach (Fla.) LL

  • National League Silver Slugger (SS)

Jeremy Peña (Houston Astros) – Elmwood LL (Providence, R.I.)

  • American League Gold Glove (SS)
  • American League MVP
  • World Series MVP

Juan Soto – Banco Central LL (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) – 2010 Caribbean Regional

  • National League Silver Slugger (OF)

Justin Verlander (Houston Astros) – Tuckahoe (Va.) LL

  • Players Choice American League Outstanding Pitcher
  • Players Choice American League Comeback Player
  • American League Cy Young

NOTE: If you know of a notable Little League graduate that would fit into one of these categories, please fill out our Little League Alumni Submission Form.

To learn more about Little League alumni, including a full listing of active MLB players who got their start in Little League and those who played in both the Little League Baseball® World Series and MLB, visit LittleLeague.org/Alumni.