Despite the disappointment of not making the playoffs for the first time in five years, there was still plenty to celebrate this year for the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Brewers narrowly missed the playoffs, finishing behind the Philadelphia Phillies, who went on to sweep the division champion St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Wild Card round. The Milwaukee Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association announced their choices for Most Valuable Player, Most Valuable Pitcher, Top Newcomer, Unsung Hero, and "Good Guy" awards. You can read about those winners below:
Shortstop Willy Adames earned Brewers Most Valuable Player honors for the second straight season as he led the team in RBI (98), doubles (31) total bases (258) and extra-base hits (62). His 31 HR as a shortstop tied the Rangers’ Corey Seager for the Major League lead and were the most in franchise history from the position in a single season, passing Robin Yount (29 in 1982).
Corbin Burnes was named Brewers Most Valuable Pitcher for the second season in a row as he went 12-8 with a 2.94 ERA in 33 starts. He led the National League with a career-high 243 strikeouts (2nd in MLB), becoming the first pitcher in franchise history to lead his league (AL or NL) in that category. He also ranked among the Major League leaders in innings (4th, 202.0), K/9IP (5th, 10.83), H/9IP (5th, 6.42), opponent batting average (5th, .197), WHIP (8th, 0.97) and quality starts (T8th, 21).
Outfielder Hunter Renfroe was named Brewers Top Newcomer, batting .255 with 29 HR and 72 RBI in 125 games. He produced 25+ HR for the fifth time in his career. His 11 outfield assists ranked fourth in the Major Leagues. Renfroe was acquired from Boston on Dec. 1 in exchange for outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. and infielders David Hamilton and Alex Binelas.
Left-handed reliever Hoby Milner was named Brewers Unsung Hero. Milner went 3-3 with a 3.76 ERA in a career-high 67 relief appearances (T8th in NL). He stranded 32 of 37 inherited runners (86.5%), the fifth-best percentage in the Major Leagues (minimum 20 inherited runners).
Pitcher Brandon Woodruff received the Good Guy Award for the second straight season, which is presented to the player who has the most outgoing, friendly presence in the clubhouse and interacts well with the media on a daily basis in a cooperative and pleasant manner.
