Franklin Arias, Anthony Eyanson win Eastern League awards for Sea Dogs

Portland Sea Dogs’ Franklin Arias and Anthony Eyanson Capture Eastern League’s Top Honors

Portland, Maine – July 3, 2026
The Portland Sea Dogs celebrated a historic achievement in the Eastern League as shortstop Franklin Arias and pitcher Anthony Eyanson received the league’s highest individual awards. Arias was named Player of the Year and the league’s top MLB prospect, while Eyanson earned Pitcher of the Year honors—making the Sea Dogs the first club to produce both the league’s premier hitter and pitcher in the same season.

Arias’ 2026 Journey

Arias, a 20‑year‑old shortstop, opened the year with the Sea Dogs, appearing in 75 games before earning a promotion to Worcester’s Triple‑A squad on July 25. In Portland, he posted a .318 batting average and a .993 on‑base plus slugging (OPS) mark over 218 at‑bats, driving in 52 runs and hitting 19 home runs. Those numbers earned him the Player of the Year title, joining former Sea Dogs Kevin Millar (1997) and Kristian Campbell (2024) as only other winners in league history.

After moving up to Worcester, Arias continued to impress, batting .331 with an .894 OPS in 42 games, adding six homers and 39 RBIs. He sits atop Boston’s farm system as the organization’s No. 1 prospect and ranks third among all baseball prospects in the league.

Eyanson’s Pitching Prowess

Eyanson was brought up to Portland in May and posted a standout line in the minors. In 11 games for the Sea Dogs, he went 4‑0 with a 1.88 earned run average (ERA), striking out 60 batters over 48 innings. The pitcher was later included in an August trade that sent him to the Baltimore Orioles in a package that also included Adley Rutschman.

After the trade, Eyanson pitched for the Chesapeake Baysox, the Orioles’ Eastern League affiliate. He made six starts, recording a 2‑1 record, a 2.03 ERA, and 47 strikeouts in 31 innings. He joins a lineage of Sea Dogs who have earned the league’s Pitcher of the Year award—Michael Tejera (1999), Jon Lester (2005), Anthony Ranaudo (2013), and Henry Owens (2014).

All‑Star Recognition

Both Arias and Eyanson were selected to the Eastern League All‑Star roster, joined by fellow Sea Dog Brooks Brannon at first base. The trio’s achievements underscore the strength of Portland’s player development program.

A Milestone for the Sea Dogs

The dual accolades mark the first time that a single club has produced both the Eastern League’s Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year in one season. As the Sea Dogs continue to cultivate talent, fans can anticipate a bright future both in the minor leagues and at the Major League level.