Every Major League Baseball player has his eyes firmly on the World Series at the start of the season, but receiving recognition from your peers is a solid consolation prize.
The MLB Players Choice Awards started in 1992 and annually recognize players for their excellence on and off the field. The players, rather than the media voters who determine awards such as the Cy Young and MVP, decided Monday's winners.
Toronto Blue Jays star Josh Donaldson was the headliner as the Player of the Year.
According to a press release from MLB.com, the Players Choice Awards benefited the Major League Baseball Players Trust, which is a charity foundation run by the players. The winners designated charities to receive grants totaling $260,000 from the Players Trust.
Here is a look at all the winners:
The North Side of the Windy City was pleased with the start of the award show when Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant took home the National League Outstanding Rookie award. The first-year player was a major reason why Chicago reached the National League Championship Series, contributing 26 home runs, 99 RBI and a willingness to play both third base and the outfield.
His team offered congratulations:
Carrie Muskat of MLB.com suggested the best is yet to come for the slugger:
Another rookie who led his team to the playoffs took home the American League Outstanding Rookie award when the Houston Astros' Carlos Correa won the honor. He drilled 22 home runs, stole 14 bases and played solid defense at shortstop behind the team's pitching staff. The MLB Players Association commended the first-year breakout star:
The theme of youngsters continued after the rookie awards when 23-year-old Bryce Harper took home the National League Outstanding Player award. The Washington Nationals superstar led the league in home runs (42), wins above replacement (9.9), runs scored (118) and on-base plus slugging percentage (1.109), per Baseball-Reference.com.
The Nationals disappointed in the standings this year, but Harper was not to blame. He was the best player in the National League, and his team congratulated him on the recognition:
As for the American League, Donaldson took home the Outstanding Player award. He was the best player in a loaded lineup that came within two victories of reaching the World Series, finishing with 41 home runs and 123 RBI. MLB shared a look at the swing that helped him rack up those impressive numbers:
The broadcast then turned toward players who bounced back in a big way during the 2015 season. Prince Fielder took home the American League Comeback Player award because he recovered from neck surgery and hit .305 with 23 home runs and 98 RBI for the Texas Rangers after playing only 42 games in 2014.
Fielder talked about his desire to be on the field, per Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Matt Harvey took home the National League Comeback Player award, helping the New York Mets reach the World Series with a career-high 29 starts after missing the entire 2014 campaign. He finished with a 2.71 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP and 188 strikeouts in a career-best 189.1 innings and started four contests in the postseason.
MLB Network shared an image of the pitcher accepting his award:
The broadcast went away from traditional awards when the Astros' Jose Altuve won the Always Game award for the grit and hustle he demonstrated throughout the season. The 5'6" second baseman hit .313 with 15 home runs and 38 steals and was on the field for 154 games.
Following Altuve, Los Angeles Dodgers ace Zack Greinke earned the National League Outstanding Pitcher award. The battle between Greinke, Clayton Kershaw and Jake Arrieta for the Cy Young is one of the most highly anticipated postseason award races, so Monday night perhaps offered a glimpse at how that race will unfold.
MLB highlighted some of the pitches that helped Greinke take home the honor:
As for the American League, Dallas Keuchel took home the Outstanding Pitcher award, which was the third honor for an Astros player. Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston suggested the award may not be the last for the Astros ace:
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones then took home the Marvin Miller Man of the Year award, which was given to the player who inspired others with his on-field achievements and contributions to the community off the field. The MLBPA showed Jones in action off the field:
Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun noted Jones made some team history with the recognition:
The evening ended with the Player of the Year award, which also went to Donaldson. The Blue Jays slugger beat out finalists Harper and Greinke for his second award of the night. Christopher Crawford of Baseball Prospectus did not agree with the decision from the players:
While Harper was incredible this season, Donaldson's team reached the playoffs behind his offensive prowess. The Nationals superstar will instead have to turn his attention toward the National League MVP award, which will be announced Nov. 19.
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