Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

News

Zunino, Arozarena, Wendle Take Home Local Awards

photo: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Rays

Mike Zunino’s power display at the plate, and adept management of nearly 40 pitchers has netted him the team’s top individual award.

The catcher has been named the recipient of the 2021 Don Zimmer Award, given to the player deemed as the team’s most valuable player as voted on by the Tampa Bay chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

For outstanding rookie, you could certainly make the case for left-hander Shane McClanahan, who has taken over the top of the rotation due to Tyler Glasnow’s elbow injury, or Wander Franco, whose 39-game on-base streak will continue Friday.  But the writers went with outfielder Randy Arozarena, who leads all American League rookies in runs, hits, doubles, walks, batting average, and on-base percentage.

And infielder Joey Wendle received the Paul C. Smith Champion Award for his hard work and willingness to be available to his teammates and the media.

Don Zimmer MVP Award

Name Total Points
Mike Zunino 18
Andrew Kittredge 12
Brandon Lowe 5
Austin Meadows 1

Outstanding Rookie

Name Total Points
Randy Arozarena 16
Shane McClanahan 12
Wander Franco 8

Paul C. Smith Champion Award

Name Total Points
Joey Wendle 16
Mike Zunino 9
Ryan Yarbrough 7
Kevin Kiermaier 3
Yandy Diaz 1

Written By

Steve Carney is the founder and publisher of St. Pete Nine. One of the people most associated with baseball coverage in Tampa Bay, he spent 13 seasons covering the Rays for flagship radio station WDAE, first as producer of Rays Radio broadcasts, then as beat reporter beginning in 2011. He likes new analytics and aged bourbon, and is the owner of one of the ugliest knuckleballs ever witnessed by baseball scouts.

You May Also Like

Advertisement

Trending