Seattle Mariners closer Edwin Diaz was named the winner of the 2018 Mariano Rivera Award, which is presented to the best relief pitcher in the American League. Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Josh Hader was recognized as the Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year.
Both pitchers were presented with the hardware prior to Game 4 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium. The awards are based on regular-season performance, and voted on by a panel of eight former relievers: Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers, John Franco, Hoffman, Rivera, Lee Smith, Bruce Sutter and Billy Wagner. Votes were cast on a weighted point system (one, three, five).
Diaz enjoyed a historic season for the Mariners, recording a Major-League best 57 saves in 73 appearances. He posted a minuscule 1.96 ERA, 1.61 FIP and 0.79 WHIP over 73.1 innings of work, accumulating 124 strikeouts compared to only 17 walks.
Other finalists for the Mariano Rivera Award included Boston Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel and Oakland Athletics flamethrower Blake Treinen.
Hader, in his second MLB season, posted career-highs in every statistical category en route to his first career All-Star appearance. In 55 games during the regular season, he went 6-1 while posting a 2.43 ERA, 2.23 FIP and 0.81 WHIP with 143 strikeouts over 81.1 innings pitched.
The 24-year-old was just as dominant in the postseason, logging 10 scoreless innings across the NL Division and Championship Series. He struck out 16 batters against only one walk while yielding a mere five combined hits.
Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, who previously won the Trevor Hoffman Award in 2016 and 2017, was a finalist for this year’s honor alongside Colorado Rockies closer Wade Davis.
