Payton named Player of the Year, Vogel named Pitcher of the Year
The Richmond Flying Squirrels announced the recipients of their 2026 team awards in a pregame ceremony on Sunday afternoon before their regular-season finale at CarMax Park. Jack Payton was named Player of the Year and Tyler Vogel won the Pitcher of the Year award.
Additionally, Sabin Ceballos was named the Puritan Cleaners “Dirty Squirrel” of the Year and Mitch White received the Community Service Award.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR – JACK PAYTON
Payton joined the Flying Squirrels on April 16and has played 82 games this year. He has posted a .270 batting average for the season, including a .313 average since June 9, which is second-highest in the Eastern League in that span. He was the league’s top hitter in June, posting a .387 average for the month and ranked second in the EL with a .451 on-base percentage.
Defensively, Payton has moved around the diamond this year, spending time at first base, catcher, left field and right field.
“I don’t think you can put a price tag on what he’s brought to this ballclub on the field, off the field and in the clubhouse,” Flying Squirrels manager Dennis Pelfrey said. “He’s someone who consistently shows up, consistently works hard and has obviously had a good season from a performance standpoint. But the little things, too, in the clubhouse being a leader, holding teammates accountable. It’s understated what he’s brought to this ballclub and what he means to this ballclub.”
Payton is a native of Orland Park, Ill., and was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 11th round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of the University of Louisville.
PITCHER OF THE YEAR – TYLER VOGEL
Vogel has been with the Flying Squirrels all season after joining the team last July. He leads the Eastern League with 16 saves and is tied for third in wins, going 9-2 with a 3.25 ERA in 44 appearances. He has the fifth-lowest ERA among EL relievers (min. 50 IP).
His 16 saves are fifth-most in a season in Flying Squirrels franchise history. For his career in Richmond, his 22 saves are ranked tied for fifth in team history.
“From day one, he’s been a guy that we could go to, a fireman if you will,” Pelfrey said. “Any big situation we had, any tied ballgame late, he’s the guy we were going to use. He put us in the position we are in right now to be able to play in the postseason with a lot of those saves, the wins and giving our ballclub a chance every single time out. He’s a stand-up human being and one of the hardest workers we have.”
Vogel is from Dunedin, Fla., and was selected by the Giants in the 12th round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Jacksonville University.
PURITAN CLEANERS “DIRTY SQUIRREL” OF THE YEAR – SABIN CEBALLOS
Every season, Puritan Cleaners sponsors the “Dirty Squirrel” award, a contest among Flying Squirrels players to reward hustle and aggressive play. This year in his second season in Richmond, Ceballos leads the Flying Squirrels with 56 RBIs and 69 runs while ranking second with 18 homers, 92 hits and 34 extra-base hits.
Ceballos also leads the team with 72 walks, which is tied for fifth in the Eastern League. It is the second-highest walk total in a season in Flying Squirrels franchise history. Along with setting a career high for homers, he has stolen a career-best 11 bases in 13 attempts.
“What really impressed me the most with him was his ability to start impacting the game on the bases,” Pelfrey said. “Drawing walks, having more patient at-bats and turning in professional at-bat after professional at-bat. That’s going to separate him from a lot of people. On the defensive side, making the diving plays, he’s a very good defender at third and first base. The sky is the limit for this kid and I’m excited to see what is in store for him in the future.”
Ceballos is a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was selected in the third round of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves out of the University of Oregon before being traded to the Giants in 2024.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD – MITCH WHITE
All season long, Flying Squirrels players participated in community volunteer opportunities. Players supported the greater-Richmond region by coaching camps and clinics, including MLB Play Ball Weekend, visited the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU and the ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation and lent a helping hand to organizations like Little Hands Virginia, Miracle League of Richmond and Jacob’s Chance.
White was a clubhouse leader in giving back to the community with the most volunteer appearances and encouraging his teammates to get involved.
“Mitch is a fantastic human being,” Pelfrey said. “With the great support we have from the community, it’s important for us to give it back when we can. You couldn’t ask for a better guy to win this award.”
The Flying Squirrels open the Southwest Division Series Tuesday night on the road in Erie, Pa. against the SeaWolves. Game 2 will be Thursday night at CarMax Park with first pitch set for 6:45 p.m. Tickets for the Flying Squirrels’ home playoff games at CarMax Park on sale now at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Playoffs, by phone at 804-359-FUNN (3866) or in person at the CarMax Park ticket office.
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