MN Twins Announce Annual Award Winners
The Minnesota Twins season has been over for a matter of weeks now. Players are at home, enjoying their offseasons, and likely reflection on the wild year that was. They saw their teammates parted out like Amazon returns at the trade deadline, and what the beginning of 2026 looks like remains to be seen.
Although the 70-92 record largely reflects a failure of a season, there was still plenty of positives to take away. Minnesota will highlight those during their offseason Diamond Awards ceremony this winter, but the recipients were revealed on Wednesday.
Diamond Awards winners highlight best of 2025 Minnesota Twins
It should be pretty expected that Bryon Buxton was the Minnesota Twins best player this season. He is going to get down-ballot MVP votes, and will earn contract incentive bonuses because of it. He’s not the only standout though, and the local BBWAA chapter voted on the yearly Diamond Awards that were made public this week.
| Award | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Most Valuable Player | Byron Buxton | Centerfield |
| Defensive Player of the Year | Byron Buxton | Centerfield |
| Pitcher of the Year | Joe Ryan | Right-Handed Pitcher |
| Outstanding Rookie | Luke Keaschall | Second Base |
| Most Improved | Austin Martin | Utility |
| Bob Allison (Clubhouse Leader) | Pablo Lopez | Right-Handed Pitcher |
| Community Service | Brooks Lee | Shortstop |
| Media Good Guy | Ryan Jeffers | Catcher |
| Upper Midwest Player of the Year | Michael Busch (Cubs) | First Base |
| Alumni Community Service | Nelson Cruz | Designated Hitter |
Of course Byron Buxton was awarded with the team MVP. The results of the vote are not made public, but that should have been unanimous. Across 126 games he batted .264/.327/.551 with a career-high seven triples, 35 homers, and 83 RBI. With any level of help, Buxton would have led the Twins into a deep postseason run.
Buxton’s selection as Defensive Player of the Year likely represents an unwillingness to vote for since-departed players. Harrison Bader was traded to the Phillies, but he was easily Minnesota’s best fielder this season. Buxton as a second choice is hardly a misstep however.
There isn’t much of a surprise anywhere across the totality of these awards. Austin Martin being named the most improved player is a reflection of him capitalizing on late-season opportunity. After dealing with injury early in 2025, he finished with 50 games played and a .282/.374/,365 slash line. That will earn him an Opening Day roster spot in 2026, and he turned the arc of his career around.
Michael Busch, who played in the postseason with the Chicago Cubs, was named the Upper Midwest Player of the Year. The Inver Grove Heights native batted .261/.343/.523 with 34 home runs. Chicago was bounced from the postseason by the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Twins will host the Diamond Awards ceremony on January 23, 2026 at Target Field during TwinsFest Live! The event will be followed by TwinsFest on the 24-25.
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