The Los Angeles Dodgers had Rich Hill, Clayton Kershaw, Corey Seager and Justin Turner named as finalists for various Players Choice Awards. The winners will be announced Wednesday, Nov. 9, on MLB Network.
Building on a successful September last season with the Boston Red Sox, Hill is a finalist for National League Comeback Player. He’s joined by late Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez and Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Jean Segura.
Hill went 2-1 with a 1.55 ERA in four starts for Boston in 2015. He signed with the Oakland Athletics during the offseason and pitched to a 9-3 record with a 2.25 ERA in the first half.
Despite lingering blister issues, Hill was viewed as one of the premier pitchers available at the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline.
Upon making his debut with the Dodgers, the veteran southpaw strung together 19 scoreless innings over his first three starts. Hill allowed a run in the second inning of his fourth start with the Dodgers.
Los Angeles reportedly has interest in re-signing the 36-year-old Hill to a multiyear contract prior to free agency beginning. The market of starting pitchers this winter pales in comparison to last offseason.
Kershaw is a finalist with Kyle Hendricks of the Chicago Cubs, and Washington’s Max Scherzer for NL Outstanding Pitcher. The Award was won last season by Zack Greinke, who came up short to Jake Arrieta in for NL Cy Young.
Kershaw spent 75 days on the disabled list while recovering from a mild disc herniation. Had he not missed a prolonged stretch of time, Kershaw would have logged enough innings to be qualified to shatter multiple pitching records, and likely be a lock for a fourth Cy Young Award.
Instead, the 2014 MVP has to settle for being in position to lead the Dodgers on another postseason run. Kershaw makes his final start of the regular season on Saturday against the San Francisco Giants.
Seager, along with the Nationals’ Trea Turner, and Aledmys Diaz of the St. Louis Cardinals, is a finalist for NL Outstanding Rookie. Seager has broken multiple rookie franchise records, and is considered the odds-on favorite to win NL Rookie of the Year.
The 22-year-old shortstop is also nominated for the Esurance MLB Best Rookie Award. Lastly, Turner, Curtis Granderson of the New York Mets, and Chicago’s Anthony Rizzo, are finalists for the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award.
Turner was voted the Dodgers’ representative, and qualified as a finalist via fan voting.
