Named after the first winner of the award, Ben McDonald of Arkansas, the trophy rewards the finest pitcher in the DMBL.

This year's award goes to....

Tim Hudson, Carolina Mudcats

Tim Hudson received all six first-place votes in winning his first McDonald award and the first for the Mudcats franchise. It was no surprise that Hudson won the award so easily. He had one of the more dominant seasons in DMBL history. Hudson led the DMBL in ERA with 2.08, more than a full point lower than the next starter, Carlos Zambrano of Carolina. He also led the league in win-loss percentage (.850) and Quality Start percentage (.879). He was tied for sixth in wins and third in runners per 9 innings (10.8).

Hudson has spent his entire five year career with Carolina. He was a first round pick in 2000 and has won at least 10 games in each of his five seasons in the league. He has a 3.93 career ERA and a 67-55 career record. His previous best season was in 2003 when he compiled a 16-9, 3.47 season.

Coming in a distant second was Tijuana's Javier Vazquez (15-6, 11.1), the DMBL's leader in strikeouts with 245. They were followed up by Stanhope's Wilson Alvarez (17-6, 3.52), and Hudson's teammate, Roy Halladay(18-7, 3.62). Tied for fifth were two relievers, Tijuana's Eric Gagne and Newark's John Smoltz. Smoltz (34 saves, 2.21 ERA), coming off a record-breaking 2003 tied for the lead league in saves and Gagne had a great season for Tijuana (12-1, 1.47, 22 saves). Arkansas teammates Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling each received one third place vote.

Points are scored as follows: 10 points for a first place vote, 7 for second, 5 for third, 3 for fourth, 2 for fifth and 1 for sixth.

The all-time winners of the McDonald Award: