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.

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.

Notable names take home Diamond Awards for the Minnesota Twins

The Diamond Awards take place each offseason and proceeds of the event benefit research, education and care in brain, nerve and muscle disorders at the University of Minnesota. The Armory has been the venue, in recent seasons, after some growth in popularity. Here are the players who will be taking home awards that evening, as posted to Twitter by Do-Young Park (MLB.com).

• Most Valuable Twin – Willi Castro
• Twins Pitcher of the Year – Griffin Jax
• Twins Outstanding Rookie – Simeon Woods Richardson
• Most Improved Twin – Cole Sands
• Defensive Player of the Year – Carlos Santana
• Bob Allison Twins Leadership Award – Carlos Santana
• Carl R. Pohlad Outstanding Community Service – Royce Lewis
• “Media Good Guy” Award – Ryan Jeffers
• Upper Midwest Player of the Year – Matt Strahm, Phillies
• Twins Alumni Community Service – Torii Hunter

Related: Minnesota Twins Utility Player a Surprise Finalist for Somewhat New Gold Glove Award

Of course, you should expect someone like Carlos Correa to garner yearly award recognition. The leadership may have been a bit in question due to his long-term absence this summer, not to mention the media back and forth he started with some of the younger players on roster at the end of the season, specifically Royce Lewis.

Still, there’s no denying that Correa is the Twins’ most impactful player. Royce Lewis and his smile generating a community service award. Some nice surprises here include Willi Castro (Most Valuable Twin), Griffin Jax (Pitcher of the Year), and Cole Sands (Most Improved).

Willi Castro named Twins MVP

Castro earning the Most Valuable Twin award comes as a reflection of his ability and willingness to play anywhere. Willi Castro fell well short of Correa’s team-leading 4.3 fWAR, but he missed just four games on the season and made his first All-Star team.

Related: Minnesota Twins 1B Carlos Santana Keeps Gold Glove Hopes Alive

Over in the bullpen, Jax has emerged as one of baseball’s best relievers, and there is no doubt he was the best pitcher this season for the Twins. Will he be in the bullpen next year… that’s another question. Speaking of the bullpen, Sands elevated his game into a high-leverage role, and he appears like a building block Baldelli didn’t know he had entering 2024.

Griffin Jax's Deadly 87mph Sweeper with 19 inches of Horizontal Break…and 3097 RPMs. ☠️⚔️

That's mean. pic.twitter.com/shxKKMVkSB

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 8, 2024

Carlos Santana should win his first Gold Glove this season, and the Twins benefitted from his defense all year long. Simeon Woods Richardson stepped up when the rotation needed arms, and he battled despite fading down the stretch. Ryan Jeffers has always been great to the media. No matter the situation, that dude’s accountability remains unmatched.

Related: Minnesota Twins Hire Familiar Hitting Coach From Out of AL East

Presentation of The Diamond Awards will be held Thursday, January 23. The event is open to the public, with entry fees ranging widely in price (they are all tax deductible). The date also signifies the beginning of Twins Fest, which will take place that same weekend, January 24-26.