Toronto Blue Jays batter Edwin Encarnacion breaks his bat on a ground out against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of their MLB American League baseball in Toronto September 13, 2012.Reuters
Slugger Edwin Encarnacion, who set career highs in most offensive categories, has been selected as the player of the year for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2012.
The designated hitter/first baseman was the unanimous choice for the award as selected on Wednesday by the Toronto chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.
Encarnacion enjoyed a breakout season with the Blue Jays, enjoying career bests in home runs (42), runs batted in (110), hits (152), runs (93), bases on balls (84) and stolen bases (13).
Encarnacion, who had 17 home runs and 55 RBIs in 2011, was also chosen as the team's most-improved player.
In a closer vote, closer Casey Janssen was chosen as the Blue Jays pitcher of the year, garnering six first-place votes to five for starter Brandon Morrow, who finished in second place in the voting.
Janssen converted 22 of 25 save opportunities for the Blue Jays after assuming the role in early May. In those 22 saves Janssen did not allow a single run while issuing just two walks and 10 hits.
Pitcher Aaron Loup was chosen as the club's rookie of the year.
The 24-year-old lefty posted a 2.64 ERA in 33 games, totalling 21 strikeouts in 30.2 innings pitched.
The John Cerutti Award was handed to Brian Butterfield, the Blue Jays former third base coach who left the team following the season to join the staff of John Farrell in Boston.
The award is given annually to the person associated with day-to-day workings of Blue Jays baseball who displays goodwill, cooperation and character as exemplified by Cerutti, the late Blue Jays player.