Dodgers Pitcher Voted NL Outstanding Pitcher
The MLB Players Association had their annual Players Choice Awards, and if it’s any indicator of future awards, it looks like the Cy Young award will remain in LA.
The MLBPA voted Zack Greinke as the National League Outstanding Pitcher, beating out teammate Clayton Kershaw and Chicago’s Jake Arrieta for the honor. It’s the second time players have voted him as the Outstanding Pitcher, as he won the American League award as a member of the Kansas City Royals in 2009. He also won the AL Cy Young that year.
If form holds true, Greinke will be ending a few of Kershaw’s streaks. Kershaw had won the last two MLBPA Outstanding Pitcher awards and has won the last two NL Cy Young awards. Kershaw should still have a pretty good shot at the Cy Young, but this promises to be one of the best three-man races in a long time. Greinke was painfully consistent, Arrieta had an unbelievable second half and Kershaw ended the season with unreal numbers.
Greinke was also a finalist for Player of the Year, but lost out to Toronto’s Josh Donaldson in that voting.
October 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) wathces game action during the second inning against New York Mets in game five of NLDS at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Houston’s Dallas Keuchel won the American League’s Outstanding Pitcher award and appears to be a favorite for the AL Cy Young. Bryce Harper and Donaldson won the NL and AL Outstanding Player awards, respectively. Comeback Player of the Year awards went to Matt Harvey of the Mets and Prince Fielder of the Rangers.
Despite a number of talented rookies entering baseball, the Outstanding Rookie award was pretty clear cut. Kris Bryant took home the NL honor, while Carlos Correa won the AL’s. Expect Corey Seager to contend for that next year.
Jose Altuve received the first-ever Always Game award for “Grit, tenacity, perseverance and hustle”. Adam Jones received the Marvin Miller Man of the Year award, which Kershaw also won last year.
The Players Choice Awards kick off the MLB’s award season. On Tuesday, finalists will be revealed for all major BBWAA Awards (MVP, Cy Young, Manager of the Year, Rookie of the Year.)
Gold Glove winners will also be announced on Tuesday. The Dodgers have two finalists, Greinke and Adrian Gonzalez. I went more in depth with that here.
Silver Slugger awards will be given out on Thursday, and each individual BBWAA award will be given out next week. Rookie of the Year awards will be handed out on Monday (11/16), Manager of the Year on Tuesday (11/17), Cy Young on Wednesday (11/18) and finally MVP on Thursday (11/19).