Toronto Blue Jays closer Louis Varland and San Diego Padres relief ace Mason Miller were named the winners of the inaugural BBWAA Reliever of the Year Awards in their respective leagues Wednesday.
Varland earned 16 first-place votes to beat out runner-up Cade Smith of the Cleveland Guardians in a tight AL vote. Tampa Bay Rays closer Bryan Baker finished third.
Miller was the unanimous winner of the NL award. Jhoan Duran of the Philadelphia Phillies finished second, and Trevor Megill of the Milwaukee Brewers placed third.
Varland, who took over closing duties for the Blue Jays in early April, put up a 1.27 ERA with 97 strikeouts and 35 saves over 71 appearances. The 28-year-old had never recorded a save in the majors prior to this season.
Miller authored a historic campaign in San Diego, posting a 1.67 ERA along with 129 strikeouts and an NL-leading 38 saves. He also managed a Padres-record 34 2/3-inning scoreless streak and allowed only three homers in 70 innings.
The Reliever of the Year Awards are the first new postseason honors the BBWAA has added since Manager of the Year in 1983.
