Prada Named Manager of the Year, Dishmey Named Pitcher of the Year

Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Minor League Baseball announced Monday the league awards and All-Star teams for the 2026 Southern League season. Pensacola Blue Wahoos manager Nelson Prada was named Southern League Manager of the Year, and right-handed pitcher Eliazar Dishmey was named to the All-Star team and the league’s Pitcher of the Year.


Prada Leads a Record-Setting Club

A league-best season. In his second year as Blue Wahoos manager, Prada guided the club to the best record in the Southern League, and the numbers back it up:

  • 79-58 record, the third-best winning percentage in franchise history
  • 312 stolen bases, a new Southern League record
  • 184 home runs, tied for the third-most in league history

Making history. Prada becomes the second Blue Wahoos manager to win the award, joining Kevin Randel in 2023. He is just the third Marlins Double-A manager to be recognized by his league, following Carlos Tosca of the Portland Sea Dogs in 1996.

“Thank you to the Blue Wahoos and Marlins organizations for an individual award built by a team. This recognition belongs to all my staff and players—their hard work, commitment, and trust made it possible. I’m proud of what we built together.”


Dishmey Dominates the League

A summer to remember. Dishmey joined the Blue Wahoos on May 26 and made 16 regular season starts. His season by the numbers:

  • 4-1 with a 3.30 ERA
  • 92 strikeouts in 71.0 innings
  • Opponents hit just .183 against him
  • Two Southern League Pitcher of the Week honors, with no-hit bids on July 5 and August 6
  • In five July starts, 2-0 with a 0.42 ERA, allowing one run on 10 hits over 21.1 innings

A rising prospect. Dishmey is currently rated the No. 30 prospect in the Marlins organization by MLB Pipeline. He joins Max Meyer (2021) as the only Blue Wahoos pitcher to win Southern League Pitcher of the Year.


What’s Next

2027 season: The Blue Wahoos open on the road Friday, April 2, against the Biloxi Shuckers. The home opener is set for Tuesday, April 6, at Blue Wahoos Stadium against the Birmingham Barons.

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. Founded in 2012, they won Southern League championships in 2017 and 2022. Their mission is to create memorable experiences.

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Author: Rick Outzen

Rick Outzen is the publisher/owner of Pensacola Inweekly. He has been profiled in The New York Times and featured in several True Crime documentaries. Rick also is the author of the award-winning Walker Holmes thrillers. His latest nonfiction book is “Right Idea, Right Time: The Fight for Pensacola’s Maritime Park.”

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