Hader, Chapman Named Relievers of the Year
Josh Hader Wins Trevor Hoffman NL ROTY
Milwaukee Brewers lefty Josh Hader was declared the best reliever in the National League on Saturday. The 25 year old had yet another dominant season, putting up a 2.62 ERA, which is incredibly the worst number of his career. He was as exceptional as ever this year, striking out 138 batters over 75 2/3 innings while walking just 20. As good as he was this year, Hader’s win is not without controversy.
San Diego Padres reliever Kirby Yates could have an argument for the award as well. Yates pitched to an ERA of 1.19 over 60 2/3 innings, with 101 strikeouts and only 13 walks. Hader did have a better WHIP and slightly gaudier strikeout numbers, which was enough for him to win the award for the second year in a row, something only accomplished by Kenley Jansen of the Los Angeles Dodgers (2016-2017) before. Yates and Will Smith of the San Francisco Giants were named NL runners up.
Aroldis Chapman Wins Mariano Rivera AL ROTY
The American League version of the award was also given to a nasty lefty in Aroldis Chapman of the New York Yankees. Since 2010, Chapman has been consistently dominant at a usually volatile position, and this season was no different. Chapman posted a 2.21 ERA across 57 innings, as well as 85 strikeouts compared to 25 walks.
Like Hader, Chapman was not without competition for the award. Breakout star Liam Hendricks of the Oakland A’s had a legitimate argument as well. The 30-year-old right hander finished with an ERA of 1.80, easily the best mark of his career. He also racked up an incredible ratio of 124 strikeouts to 21 walks over the course of 85 innings. In the end, Chapman’s 37 saves won out over Hendricks’ 25. Hendricks and Roberto Osuna of the Housron Astros were the runners up in the AL.
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