Blue Wahoos Manager and Pitcher Earn League Honors

Minor League Baseball named Nelson Prada Manager of the Year and Eliazar Dishmey Pitcher of the Year for 2026.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Baseball

Expressive sports illustration of a pitcher mid-windup, painted in navy and sky blue brushstrokes. — Pensacola Blue Wahoos manager Nelson Prada and pitcher Eliazar Dishmey earned league honors for the 2026 season following a dominant campaign. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Pensacola Blue Wahoos celebrated major individual accolades as manager Nelson Prada and pitcher Eliazar Dishmey claimed league-wide honors. Prada led the club to a 79-58 record, while Dishmey dominated on the mound following his late-May arrival.

Why it matters

These awards recognize exceptional performances during a standout 2026 campaign that saw the team set a new league standard for aggressiveness on the basepaths. The success of the Blue Wahoos underscores the effectiveness of the current roster and coaching staff development.

Eliazar Dishmey posted a 4-1 record with a 3.30 ERA, recording 92 strikeouts over 71.0 innings while holding opponents to a .183 batting average. The Blue Wahoos finished the 2026 season with 79 wins against 58 losses.

The players

Nelson Prada

He is the manager of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos who recently completed his second season with the team.

Eliazar Dishmey

He is a standout pitcher for the Blue Wahoos who was named the Southern League Pitcher of the Year.

Blue Wahoos

This is the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins based in Pensacola, Florida.

The details

Nelson Prada concluded his second year at the helm by guiding the team to its third-best winning percentage in franchise history. Eliazar Dishmey arrived in May and quickly asserted himself, highlighted by a dominant July where he maintained a 0.42 ERA across five starts and flirted with no-hitters on two separate occasions.

May 26, 2026: Eliazar Dishmey joined the Blue Wahoos.
July 5, 2026: Eliazar Dishmey made his first no-hit bid of the season.
August 6, 2026: Eliazar Dishmey made his second no-hit bid.
September 21, 2026: Minor League Baseball officially announced the league awards.
April 2, 2027: The Blue Wahoos are scheduled to begin their 2027 season.

Season Trajectory

These awards validate the Blue Wahoos' 2026 performance as a benchmark for the Southern League. The team's ability to balance speed with pitching depth establishes a high competitive floor as the organization prepares for the 2027 cycle.

The recognition of Dishmey as Pitcher of the Year solidifies his status as a key prospect to watch for 2027 roster projections. The team's record-setting 312 stolen bases highlight an aggressive offensive identity that defined the 2026 home experience for local spectators.

The takeaway

The team's success in 2026 proves that a combination of aggressive base running and elite pitching remains a viable path to postseason contention. Fans looking toward next spring should track how the organization manages these rising prospects during the upcoming offseason.