The highest honor bestowed upon players at the Triple-A level is that of the Most Valuable Player Award. Each League also recognizes its Most Valuable Pitcher and Rookie of the Year annually. The complete history of Triple-A award winners, including the Manager of the Year Award, can be found here. (At left, 2009 IL Rookie of the Year Austin Jackson of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre).

Each year baseball's brightest young prospects take the field in Triple-A parks as they prepare for the call to the Major Leagues. Each of the 30 Triple-A clubs stocks players that are available for their Major League affiliate. Nearly 70% of players on a Triple-A roster will reach the Major League level during their career. The classification always fields the next wave of stars for Major League Baseball. Click below for a complete listing of the top prospects in Triple-A from the past few years. (At left, Buster Posey of the Giants playing for Fresno in 2009)

Players at the Triple-A level are just a phone call away from suiting up in the Major Leagues. Not suprisingly, most (over 94%) current Major League players saw time in Triple-A uniforms before making it to "The Show". A vast majority of Major League Baseball's major award winners and All-Stars are Triple-A alumni. Click below for a photo gallery of baseball's brightest stars from their days as a Triple-A ballplayer. There's no greater thrill for fans than knowing they saw these stars before they were famous. (At left, Prince Fielder bats for the Nashville Sounds in 2005)

170 members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, NY spent time in one of the Triple-A Leagues during their careers. Beginning with the first induction class in 1936, the Hall of Fame has consistently welcomed many of the game's heroes who played part of their careers at the Triple-A level before cementing their legacies in the Major Leagues. From Babe Ruth and Ted Williams to Cal Ripken and Goose Gossage, an awesome collection of the game's legends once roamed Triple-A parks. Click below for a complete list of Triple-A alumni in Cooperstown. (At left, Johnny Bench bats for Buffalo in 1967)

In addition to those who go on to greatness in the game of baseball, the Triple-A classification has also produced an interesting array of alumni that have made their marks in other areas, such as politics, entertainment, or other sports fields. Click below for an entertaining look back at some of Triple-A Baseball's alumni who have gone on to fame and fortune somewhere other than the baseball field. (At left, Chris Weinke played for the Syracuse Chiefs in the mid-90's before winning the Heisman Trophy in 2000)