--- title: "Mason Miller and Louis Varland Named Co-Winners of BBWAA Reliever of the Year Award" url: https://newscentral.site/mason-miller-and-louis-varland-named-co-winners-of-bbwaa-reliever/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Sports" published: 2026-11-12T00:48:49.000Z updated: 2026-11-12T01:39:15.558Z id: 5e5074ae-b706-4a18-8605-46220c0ba854 source: "CBS Sports \n https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2026-bbwaa-reliever-of-the-year-mlb-awards/" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/mason-miller-and-louis-varland-named-co-winners-of-bbwaa-reliever/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Mason Miller and Louis Varland Named Co-Winners of BBWAA Reliever of the Year Award The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) has announced its first-ever winners for the Reliever of the Year award, with Mason Miller and Louis Varland sharing the distinction. San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller has been named the first-ever winner of the Baseball Writers Association of America Reliever of the Year award. He shares this distinction with Toronto Blue Jays closer Louis Varland. This new award is part of a revamped set of annual honors that also includes Rookies and Managers of the Year, Cy Young, and MVPs. The BBWAA's Reliever of the Year award differs from existing league-specific awards like the Mariano Rivera Award for American League relievers and the Trevor Hoffman Award for National League relievers. The Rivera and Hoffman Awards were introduced in 2015 as a replacement for the Delivery Man of the Year Award, with voting handled by a panel of former relievers. The Reliever of the Year award is voted on by BBWAA members from each MLB city, with two representatives per league. These votes were submitted before the start of the playoffs, ensuring that only regular-season contributions are considered in the selection process. Mason Miller has been recognized for his outstanding performance this season as the best closer in baseball. With a 1.67 ERA and 129 strikeouts in just 70 innings pitched, he dominated on the mound. He also led all pitchers with an impressive 3.9 WAR and set records for saves (38) and games finished (57) in the National League. Miller's achievement is notable not only as the first winner of this award but also as a testament to his exceptional skill and consistency throughout the season. The recognition from the BBWAA comes after a year that saw him establish himself as one of the top closers in the league, setting high standards for future contenders for this prestigious honor. Miller's impressive strikeout rate has been a hallmark of his performance this season, far surpassing that of his peers in the league. His ability to miss bats at an elite level is one reason why he stands out as a top closer. His time with the Padres has been marked by significant contributions, despite being acquired only recently. Miller was part of a trade that sent shortstop Leo De Vries to the Athletics, a prospect widely regarded as one of the best in baseball. The deal has proven worthwhile so far, given Miller's performance on the mound. Miller's success extends beyond his impressive statistics, including a 1.45 ERA over parts of two seasons with San Diego. This achievement is particularly notable considering he was acquired at the trade deadline last year and had to quickly adapt to a new team and environment. Varland has also been a dominant force in the American League this season, earning top honors as the first winner of the BBWAA award for best reliever in his league. His ERA of 1.27 led all qualified relievers, while his WAR of 3.1 was the highest in the AL. In addition to his impressive statistics, Varland has also been a key contributor to his team's success with 35 saves and 87 strikeouts over 78 innings pitched. His sheer dominance on the mound is one reason why he stands out as a top reliever. Mason Miller's impressive performance as a Padres reliever has earned him the MLB Reliever of the Year award in a first-ever BBWAA recognition. His counterpart, Louis Varland, also received top honors for his exceptional work with the Blue Jays this year. As one of the team's key contributors, Varland played a crucial role throughout the season and postseason, showcasing his versatility and reliability on the mound. His ability to perform under pressure is evident in his outstanding record. Varland's journey to becoming an All-Star and receiving award votes for the first time was notable, particularly after struggling initially with the Blue Jays following his trade from the Twins at the 2025 deadline. He eventually found his footing and dominated as a reliever, cementing his place among the league's top performers. --- Source: [CBS Sports]( https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2026-bbwaa-reliever-of-the-year-mlb-awards/ ) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/mason-miller-and-louis-varland-named-co-winners-of-bbwaa-reliever/