The inaugural BBWAA award
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Louis Varland has been named the first recipient of the BBWAA American League Reliever of the Year Award, MLB reported on November 11 in the US evening. Varland received 16 of a possible 30 first-place votes and finished with 146 points.
Cleveland’s Cade Smith finished second with 133 points, a 13-point gap. The first-place total shows that this was not a unanimous result. The first-recipient description refers specifically to the BBWAA award.
The season behind the vote
Varland recorded a 1.27 earned-run average, 97 strikeouts and 35 saves over 78 innings. MLB’s report notes that he began the season in a setup role before taking over as Toronto’s closer after the first month.
Smith and fellow finalist Bryan Baker each had 41 saves. The voting result therefore did not simply follow the highest save total. Varland’s reported workload and strikeout figures provide additional context for his season.
The confirmed result
MLB’s report confirms the American League recipient and vote figures. Its reference to future Blue Jays save records is a projection; the award recognises the season Varland has already completed.
