The Royals' Greg Holland took home the first Mariano Rivera Award, just as the Braves' Craig Kimbrel was the first recipient of the Trevor Hoffman Award, each receiving the honor for being voted the top reliever in their respective league.
Craig Kimbrel, Greg Holland win top MLB reliever awards
Kimbrel led the National League in saves, while Holland ranked second in the American League.
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The award panel was comprised of Rivera, Hoffman, Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, Bruce Sutter, Lee Smith, John Franco, and Billy Wagner. They ranked their top three relievers in each league, and those relievers were awarded points using a 5-3-1 weighted system. The pitcher with the most points received the award.
Holland hopes this isn’t the last thing he has to celebrate this season, of course. He earned the award going 1-3 on the season, with a 1.44 ERA, striking out 90 batters and walking 20 in 65 games and racking up 46 saves in the process.
While Holland is participating in the postseason, Kimbrel can only watch. Still, he showed why the Braves gave him that handsome extension, producing a 1.61 ERA in 63 games, with 95 strikeouts against 26 walks. He led the National League with 47 saves.
While they're both dynamic relievers in their own right, one could argue that Holland didn't even have the best year within his own bullpen, as Wade Davis recorded a flat 1.00 ERA in 71 games, striking out 109 and walking a meager 23 batters. As with most awards there appears to be some residue from the previous season weighing on the voters.
Update:
Runners up in the AL included Dellin Betances (5-0, 1.40 ERA, 90 IP, 135 strikeouts), and Zach Britton (3-2, 1.65 ERA, 37 saves).
In the NL, they were Aroldis Chapman (2.00 ERA, 36 saves, 106 strikeouts, 54 IP), and Kenley Jansen (2.76 ERA, 44 saves, 101 strikeouts, 19 BB, in 68 games)
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