MINNEAPOLIS – A career year for the Twins’ Jorge Polanco has earned him the award as 2021 Most Valuable Twin, as voted upon by the Twin Cities chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America and the Twins Community Fund Board of Directors.
Polanco, in 152 games, hit .269 with 35 doubles, two triples, 33 home runs, 98 RBI, 97 runs, 45 walks, 11 stolen bases, a .503 slugging percentage and an .826 OPS. Polanco was also voted as the Most Improved Twin.
Former Twins’ starter José Berríos was voted as the Twins Pitcher of the Year. Before he was traded to Toronto just before the trade deadline, Berrios was 7-5 with a 3.48 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 121 ⅔ innings. Including his time with the Blue Jays, Berríos was 12-9 with a 3.52 ERA.
Another player traded just before the deadline, DH Nelson Cruz, was voted as the winner of the Bob Allison Award. This award is presented to the player who “exemplifies determination, hustle, tenacity, competitive spirit and leadership both on and off the field.”
Right-handed starter Bailey Ober is the Twins Most Outstanding Rookie. In 20 starts, Ober was 3-3 with a 4.19 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 92 ⅓ innings.
Shortstop Andrelton Simmons was named as the Jim Kaat Award winner as the Twins’ best defensive player. Simmons had a .976 fielding percentage in 131 games with 322 assists.
Left-handed reliever Taylor Rogers is the winner of the Carl R. Pohlad Outstanding Community Service Award. Third baseman Josh Donaldson won the “Media Good Guy” Award.
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