Named after the phenom Columbia Crusaders shortstop in 1993, who batted .315 in 161 games, the Pat Listach Award has stood for excellence among first year players in the DMBL. The Listach Award first was awarded in 1998 to Nomar Garciaparra of the Phoenix Dragons, who was also the first pick in that year's draft.

This year's award goes to....

Travis Wood, Philadelphia

Travis Wood was the first round pick by the Newark Sugar Bears, #13 overall. Although Wood got off to a great start with the Sugar Bears (8-2, 2.96 ERA), the Sugar Bears realized that their season was going nowhere and traded the young lefty along with shortstop Jimmy Rollins to Philadelphia for pitcher Homer Bailey and a 4th round pick in the 2012 draft. Wood continued his strong season, posting a 12-2 record the rest of the season to go along with a 2.56 ERA. Overall, Wood finished second in ERA with a 2.73 mark and second in wins with 20. His .833 win percentage led the league.

Finishing second was Sardine City's flamethrowing closer Neftali Feliz. Feliz finished with a sparkling 1.32 ERA and 30 saves in his first year with the Straphangers. Coming in third was another starter that was traded midseason, Las Vegas' Daniel Hudson (16-10, 3.24).

Wood is the second consecutive winner who was traded midway through his rookie season.