Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw is nominated for Best MLB Player in the 2016 ESPY awards. The ESPYS will air live on ESPN on Wednesday, July 13 at 5:00 p.m. PT.
Toronto Blue Jays third basemen Josh Donaldson, Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, Chicago Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta, and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim outfielder Mike Trout join Kershaw as nominees for the award.
The Dodgers’ ace was also nominated for the award in 2014 and 2015, but ultimately lost to Miguel Cabrera and Trout, respectively. Both Cabrera and Trout were coming off MVP seasons prior to winning the award.
Kershaw finished third in voting for the 2015 National League Cy Young Award after compiling a 16-7 record with a 2.13 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP, and an astounding 301 strikeouts.
His strikeout total set a career high and was the first 300-strikeout season in the Majors since 2002, when Arizona Diamondbacks teammates Randy Johnson (334) and Curt Schilling (316) reached the milestone.
Kershaw was on pace to surpass his strikeout total prior to landing on the disabled list with a mild disc herniation. Thus far, he’s 11-2 with a 1.73 ERA, 1.70 FIP, 0.73 WHIP and 145 strikeouts in 121 innings pitched.
While the Dodgers have not publicly released a timetable for Kershaw’s return, he threw a bullpen session on Sunday and intends to throw another while in San Diego for All-Star Game festivities.
Voting for the 2016 ESPY Awards, which can be completed here, ends Wednesday at 5 p.m. PT.
