The Prospect League announced their 2023 season individual awards on Tuesday. The Manager of the Year award was given to Thrillville Thrillbillies manager Ralph Santana.
Santana led the Billies to a 34-21 regular season record, the Prairie Land Division Championship, and a Western Conference Championship appearance all in the first year of the team’s existence.
He led the Thrilbillies to 4th in the Prospect League in batting average (.288), 3rd in on-base percentage (.411), 5th in slugging percentage (.432), 5th in runs scored (410), and 3rd in walks (338). On the mound, the Thrillbillies had the 6th-best ERA (5.89) and the 2nd-least walks allowed (236).
Santana also guided his club through the late season tragedy that was the unexpected death of Thrillbillies player and Du Quoin native Ashton Smith.
