The Round Rock Express hosted the fifth annual Express Winter Banquet in the United Heritage Center, located at The Dell Diamond. The Express announced Central Texas College and Professional Players and Pitchers of the Year as well as pre-season All-Star High School Team.

Hamilton received the top honor while J.P. Howell (University of Texas) earned Pitcher of the Year and Drew Stubbs (University of Texas) was named Newcomer of the Year. Brad Halsey, New York Yankees (brother of St. Edward's University baseball alumnus, Marcus Halsey) was honored as the Area Professional Player of the Year. Halsey was traded by the Yankees this winter to Diamondbacks that sent Randy Johnson to New York.

Hamilton, who was named the 2004 Heartland Conference Player of the Year, played in 51 of the 53 games last season. He led the team in batting average (.400), hits (62), homeruns (20), RBI (62), total bases (133), slugging percentage (.858), on base percentage (.543) and walks (45). Hamilton was also tied for first in runs (48) and doubles (11). He is ranked seventh in nation in homeruns per game and 10th in slugging percentage and set two school records in homeruns and total bases in 2004. Hamilton also holds a NCAA Division II record for most homeruns in one game with five and tied for another with 20 total bases in one game, which he set during the 2003 season.

College Player of the Year - Josh Hamilton, St. Edward's University

College Pitcher of the Year - J.P. Howell, Univ. of Texas

College Newcomer of the Year - Drew Stubbs, Univ. of Texas

Area Professional Player of the Year - Brad Halsey, New York Yankees

Round Rock Express Pitcher of the Year - Mike Burns

Round Rock Express Player of the Year - Brooks Conrad