Budzinski, Guerrero Jr., Manoah, Martinez, Stripling honoured by Toronto baseball writers
Right-hander Alek Manoah has been voted Toronto Blue Jays Pitcher of the Year by Toronto baseball writers.
December 1, 2022
Official Toronto Blue Jays News Release
The Toronto Chapter of the BBWAA has announced its annual award winners.
First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.(Montreal, Que.) earned the Neil MacCarl Award as Player of the Year while RHP Alek Manoah landed Pitcher of the Year. The Most Improved Player Award was given to RHP Ross Stripling. Also recognized were first base coach Mark Budzinski and broadcaster Buck Martinez as the John Cerutti Award co-recipients for displaying goodwill, cooperation, and character.
Guerrero Jr., 23, tied for fifth among AL batters in RBIs (97), ranked sixth in hits (175), and tied for seventh in home runs (32) while finishing 10th with a .480 slugging percentage. The Montreal-born first baseman got the start in the All-Star Game, becoming the fifth player in team history to start the Midsummer Classic in consecutive years. Guerrero Jr. made his mark on the defensive side of the game as well, posting a .990 fielding percentage to become the only first baseman in team history to win a Gold Glove Award.
Manoah, 24, finished third in AL Cy Young voting as he ranked third in both ERA (2.24) and wins (16) during the regular season. Toronto’s 11th overall selection of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft recorded 25 quality starts, tied for second most in the majors, and posted a franchise-record 0.99 WHIP. Manoah’s performance also earned him his first career All-Star nod, where he fanned three batters in a scoreless inning of work.
Stripling, 33, set career marks in 2022 with 10 wins, 24 starts, 134 1/3 innings pitched, a 1.02 WHIP, and a 3.01 ERA. The Texas A&M University product rejoined the starting rotation on June 6 to replace Hyun Jin Ryu and kept a 2.64 ERA for the rest of the season. Over the course of seven Major League seasons, the righty has compiled a record of 38-38 to go with a 3.78 ERA.
Budzinski coached first base for the Blue Jays for the fourth straight season while continuing his work with the outfielders. The native of Baltimore left the club for some time in July following the passing of his daughter, Julia. He returned to the team after the All-Star break to an outpouring of love and support from his extended baseball family and helped guide the club to a strong finish in August and September.
Martinez worked his 13th season in Toronto’s television booth in 2022. The 74-year-old Sportsnet broadcaster was diagnosed with cancer and received treatments during the first half of the campaign. He returned to call games again on July 26, receiving a long standing ovation from Toronto fans. The former Blue Jays catcher and Manager was nominated for the 2022 Curt Flood Award this fall, given annually to a former player who demonstrates devotion to the MLBPA and advancement of players' rights.