The Pittsburgh chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America announced their awards for the 2021 Pirates season Wednesday.
Bryan Reynolds has been named the Roberto Clemente Award winner, or team MVP, David Bednar has won the Steve Blass Award for best pitcher, and Jacob Stallings is the recipient of this year’s Chuck Tanner Award for being the media “good guy.”
Stallings finished second for the Clemente Award, and Chris Stratton was runner-up for the Blass and Tanner Awards. Ke’Bryan Hayes was also runner-up for the Tanner Award.
For those who followed the ball club this year, Reynolds’ and Bednar’s selections should not come as much surprise.
Reynolds has been one of the National League’s top hitters this year, ranking in the top 10 in batting average (.296, 9th), on-base percentage (.384, 4th), hits (162, 7th), doubles (34, 6th), triples (5, 5th), walks (73, 8th), OPS+ (141, 8th) and WAR (5.8, 5th). His 24 home runs, 90 runs scored and 88 RBIs all lead the Pirates as well.
Even at the end of a 2021 season where the Pirates finished well in last place, Reynolds’ hustle has been appreciated by his teammates and manager.
“Regardless of the game or situation, he continues to play hard,” Derek Shelton said of Reynolds after Tuesday's win against the Cubs. “When your best player plays like that every night, it really sets the tone… That speaks to what we want to stand for.”
Bednar came over from the Padres in the Joe Musgrove trade this offseason. Coming into this year, there was no guarantee of when the Mars, Pa. native would pitch for his hometown team, but he made the opening day team after a terrific spring training. As the year progressed, he continued to get higher leverage opportunities out of the bullpen, to the point now where he is splitting closer duties with Stratton.
In 60 games and 59 2/3 innings this year, Bednar has pitched to a 2.11 ERA with 76 strikeouts, a .955 WHIP and five saves.
So what are Bendar's encore plans?
"It’s been an awesome year, but honestly, just hope to get back to work this offseason and keep it rolling," he said.
Stallings, last year’s team MVP and Tanner Award winner, is the only player to repeat.
More to come.
