Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson has been named American League MVP for 2015. MLB revealed the results of the BBWAA balloting on Thursday.
Donaldson, 29, batted .297/.371/.568 (155 OPS+) with 41 home runs and 41 doubles in 158 games for the AL East champs. As well, Donaldson led the AL in RBI, total bases, and extra-base hits and led the majors in runs scored. On top of that, Donaldson also provided plus fielding at the hot corner. His 8.8 WAR in 2015 ranked second to only Mike Trout in the AL.
What may have also played a role in Donaldson’s winning the hardware is that this past season he batted .353/.440/.618 with runners in scoring position, .332/.405/.593 with runners on, and .351/.426/.713 in high-leverage (i.e., “clutch”) situations.
Donaldson becomes the first Blue Jay to win the award since George Bell in 1987, and he’s the first primary third baseman to win the AL MVP since George Brett in 1980.
The Jays acquired Donaldson from the Athletics in November of 2014 in a five-player trade that sent Brett Lawrie and some notable prospects to Oakland. While Donaldson is surely in for a big arbitration raise this offseason, he’s not eligible for free agency until after the 2018 season.
In the 2015 balloting, Mike Trout of the Angels finished second, and Lorenzo Cain of the Royals placed third.
