Twins announce 2022 Harmon Killebrew Award winners

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Twins today announced the 2022 Harmon Killebrew Award winners for outstanding minor league community service. Following the Hall of Famer's death in 2011, the Twins have annually recognized a player from each of the organization's full-season affiliates. Each player is nominated by their respective general manager for their service within the affiliate's community. A plaque is awarded, in addition to an on-field presentation during spring training. This year's winners represent players whose work spanned from working with our youth to feeding those in need.

Catchers David Bañuelos and Frank Nigro have been named the winners of the award representing Triple-A St. Paul. Bañuelos, 26, earned the Killebrew Award for the second time (also, 2018 with Cedar Rapids) and was very active in volunteer projects involving youth in 2022; he was recognized by the Saints as one of a handful of players who participated in each of the team's kids baseball camps during the season. He demonstrated strong leadership during the camps, through playful and fun interactions with the campers and by helping them hone their on-field skills. Bañuelos also took part in the club's annual ACES bowling event, making everyone he came in contact with feel important. He hit .204 (37-for-181) with seven doubles, eight home runs, 26 RBI, 15 walks and 25 runs scored in 55 games for St. Paul.

Nigro, 25, was described as the "unsung hero" of the Saints' player-related community service initiatives in 2022, as one of the first to sign up for appearances and as someone who never turned down an opportunity to volunteer his time, including recording a video message for the ACES program, encouraging kids as they head back to school. He also made a visit to Children's Minnesota to see the 12-year-old son of a Saints' season ticket holder who had just been admitted with three cancerous tumors. Frank had the idea to bring gifts for the boy just to see him smile and give him a sense of normalcy during a difficult time. He split the 2022 minor league season between the FCL Twins, Low-A Fort Myers, High-A Cedar Rapids and the Saints, hitting a cumulative .176 (6-for-34) with one RBI, 11 walks, two stolen bases and three runs scored in 18 games.

Catcher Alex Isola has been named the winner of the award representing Double-A Wichita, his second-straight year being recognized after also winning the Killebrew Award with Cedar Rapids in 2021. The 24-year-old was recognized by the Wind Surge front office as a strong advocate for the team, its fans and the entire Wichita community during his time with the club. He participated in the team's McConnell Air Force Base Nose Art Ceremony and helped out when the Wind Surge unveiled their Turbo Tubs and Tumba Vacas alternate identities. Prior to first pitch and after nearly every home game, Isola could be seen signing autographs and interacting with fans, always with a smile on his face. He hit .286 (60-for-210) with nine doubles, 10 home runs, 40 RBI, 32 walks, 33 runs scored and an .848 OPS in 58 games for Wichita, missing time due to injury.

Right-handed pitcher Bradley Hanner has been named the winner of the award representing High-A Cedar Rapids. Hanner was one of the standout players of the Kernels' work during the Twins' organization-wide Week of Service, going to the local Meals on Wheels location and assembling boxes to be used to hold pre-packaged meals on May 9. Additionally, during the season Hanner spent time in the morning bringing breakfast to the elderly alongside his host family. The Kernels' front office also recognized the 23-year-old as a player who spent extra time talking to fans and signing autographs during the season. He went 7-4 with a 4.60 ERA (58.2 IP, 30 ER), 27 walks and 65 strikeouts in 39 games (1 start) for Cedar Rapids.

Catcher Noah Cardenas has been named the winner of the award representing Low-A Fort Myers. Cardenas was recognized by the Mighty Mussels front office for his fantastic participation and engagement community events during the season. The 23-year-old was always kind and courteous to fans, employees and community members in general, representing the Twins and the Mighty Mussels well. He hit .261 (81-for-310) with 18 doubles, one triple, nine home runs, 43 RBI, 73 walks, 11 stolen bases and 42 runs scored in 99 games for Fort Myers.