After playing all over the field, Willi Castro is the Twins’ MVP

Willi Castro became the first player in Major League history to play at least 25 games at five different positions – shortstop, second base, center field, left field and third base.

A midseason All-Star, he also played in a few games for the Twins; and he is one of three finalists for the American League Utilityman Gold Glove Award.

For this, he was named the team’s most valuable player by the Twin Cities Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Reliever Griffin Jax was the team’s Pitcher of the Year, starter Simeon Woods Richardson was the Most Outstanding Rookie, reliever Cole Sands was the Most Improved Player and first baseman Carlos Santana was the Defensive Player of the Year.

The Bob Allison Award for competitive spirit and leadership went to shortstop Carlos Correa; The Media Good Guy Award went to catcher Ryan Jeffers; and the Upper Midwest Player of the Year is Philadelphia Phillies All-Star reliever Matt Strahm, a native of West Fargo, ND

Third baseman Royce Lewis won the team’s community service award, and former Twins centerfielder Torii Hunter received the team’s alumni community service award.

Jax pitched a team-high 72 games and had a 2.03 ERA with 95 strikeouts in 71 innings.

Woods Richardson was 5-5 with a 4.17 ERA in 28 starts after being called up from Class AAA St. Paul.