Relief pitchers also known as relievers play an important role during the game in Major League Baseball (MLB). These pitchers are notable for pitching after the starting pitcher has been removed due to a high pitch count, injury, or poor performance. Relievers in a game mainly pitches for one or two innings but they are notable for throwing harder pitches than the starting pitchers. MLB has developed awards for such players too based on their performances. These are the Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year Award and the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year Award.
Both the Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year Award and the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year Award were first distributed to relief pitchers in 2014 when Greg Holland of the Kansas City Royals became the AL Reliever of the Year and Craig Kimbrel of the Atlanta Braves became the NL Reliever of the Year. Since then, every year, two pitchers from both leagues have earned the award. Notably, Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians is the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year while Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals is the Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year in 2024.
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List of Relievers of the Year Award Winner Year by Year
Here is the list of Relievers of Year award winners year by year of both the American League (known as the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year Award) and the National League (known as the Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year Award) from 2014 to 2024 as per the MLB official site:
Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year Award
Year | Winner | Team |
2024 | Emmanuel Clase | Cleveland Guardians |
2023 | Felix Bautista | Baltimore Orioles |
2022 | Emmanuel Clase | Cleveland Guardians |
2021 | Liam Hendriks | Chicago White Sox |
2020 | Liam Hendriks | Oakland Athletics |
2019 | Aroldis Chapman | New York Yankees |
2018 | Edwin Diaz | Seattle Mariners |
2017 | Craig Kimbrel | Boston Red Sox |
2016 | Zack Britton | Baltimore Orioles |
2015 | Andrew Miller | New York Yankees |
2014 | Greg Holland | Kansas City Royals |
Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year Award:
Year | Winner | Team |
2024 | Ryan Helsley | St. Louis Cardinals |
2023 | Devin Williams | Milwaukee Brewers |
2022 | Edwin Díaz | New York Mets |
2021 | Josh Hader | Milwaukee Brewers |
2020 | Devin Williams | Milwaukee Brewers |
2019 | Josh Hader | Milwaukee Brewers |
2018 | Josh Hader | Milwaukee Brewers |
2017 | Kenley Jansen | Los Angeles Dodgers |
2016 | Kenley Jansen | Los Angeles Dodgers |
2015 | Mark Melancon | Pittsburgh Pirates |
2014 | Craig Kimbrel | Atlanta Braves |
Criteria for eligibility for the Relievers of the Year Award
The Relievers of the Year Award holds prestige in professional baseball, recognizing the outstanding relief pitchers. As a result, there are specific criteria that must be met for a pitcher to be eligible for this esteemed accolade. As per MLB's official website, to be eligible for the Relievers of the Year Award, a pitcher must have participated in a minimum number of games during the regular season. This requirement serves as a fundamental criterion for pitchers vying for this prestigious accolade.
The individual must demonstrate a commendable level of performance and skill to qualify as a relief pitcher. This encompasses various factors like earned run average (ERA), strikeouts, saves, and overall proficiency in neutralizing opposing teams' offenses. Furthermore, the Relievers of the Year Award takes into consideration the overall impact and value that the pitcher brings to their team. Factors such as the number of appearances in high-pressure situations, the ability to pitch effectively in crucial moments, and their influence on the team's success are all taken into account as per MLB's official website.
FAQs on Relievers of the Year Award
A. The Relievers of the Year Award in MLB was first introduced in 2014.
A. Yes, separate awards are presented for each league. The American League recognizes the best relief pitcher, while the National League also honors their own top reliever.
A. No, the MLB Relievers of the Year Award does not come with any monetary prize. It serves as a prestigious recognition exclusively granted to the top relief pitcher in each league.
A. Yes, several relief pitchers have won the Relievers of the Year Award multiple times. Josh Hader won this award three times in 2018, 2019 and 2021.
A. Mariano Rivera won the AL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award five-times in his career.