Peers name Blue Jays' Josh Donaldson MLB player of the year for 2015

Toronto Blue Jays slugger Josh Donaldson was named this season’s best player by his peers, winning the Players Choice Award from the Major League Baseball Players' Association.

Donaldson beat out finalists Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals and Zack Greinke of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The third baseman also won the American League Outstanding Player award.

Donaldson, who was a key offseason acquisition, helped the Blue Jays win the AL East and reach the AL Championship Series for the first time since 1993. He batted .297 with 41 homers, had a .371 on-base percentage and a .568 slugging percentage in 158 games. He ranked first among league leaders in runs scored (122) and led the AL in RBI (123) and game-winning RBI (20).

Harper, a leading candidate for the National League MVP award, earned NL Outstanding Player honors. Harper, who turned 23 in October, became the first player in history with at least 42 homers, 124 walks, 118 runs scored and 99 RBI at age 22 or younger. He also became the sixth-youngest player in Major League history to reach the 40-homer plateau.

The Outstanding Pitchers award went to Dallas Keuchel of the Houston Astros and Greinke in their respective leagues.

Keuchel, a left-hander, was one of the main reasons the Astros reached the postseason. He led the AL with 20 wins, two shutouts, a 1.017 WHIP and was second with a 2.48 ERA.

Greinke, who opted out of his contract to become a free agent, went 19-3 with 200 strikeouts and led the majors with a 1.66 ERA and a .231 on-base percentage allowed.

The winner of the Marvin Miller Man of the Year, an award that goes to the player who most inspires others to a higher level both on and off the field, went to Adam Jones of the Baltimore Orioles.

In June, Jones hosted a clinic for inner city youth in West Baltimore while the city was still simmering following unrest in the aftermath of Freddie Gray's death while in police custody. Jones provided instruction and encouragement to kids and participated in events to benefit the YMCA of Central Maryland, the Boys and Girls Club of Baltimore and Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities

The honors have been presented since 1992. Balloting was conducted in mid-September and announced Monday night.

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Players Choice Awards Finalists and Winners (In Bold):
American League

• Outstanding Player: Nelson Cruz (Seattle), Josh Donaldson (Toronto), Mike Trout (L.A. Angels)
• Outstanding Pitcher: Sonny Gray (Oakland), Dallas Keuchel (Houston), David Price (Toronto)
• Outstanding Rookie: Carlos Correa (Houston), Francisco Lindor (Cleveland), Miguel Sano(Minnesota)
• Comeback Player: Prince Fielder (Texas), Kendrys Morales (Kansas City), Alex Rodriguez (N.Y. Yankees)

National League

• Outstanding Player: Nolan Arenado (Colorado Rockies), Paul Goldschmidt (Arizona), Bryce Harper (Washington)
• Outstanding Pitcher: Jake Arrieta (Chicago Cubs), Clayton Kershaw (L.A. Dodgers), Zack Greinke (L.A. Dodgers)
• Outstanding Rookie: Kris Bryant (Chicago Cubs), Matt Duffy (San Francisco), Jung Ho Kang (Pittsburgh)
• Comeback Player: Carlos Gonzalez (Colorado), Matt Harvey (N.Y. Mets), Joey Votto (Cincinnati)

Either League

• Player of the Year: Josh Donaldson (Toronto), Zack Greinke (L.A. Dodgers), Bryce Harper (Washington)
• Man of the Year: Dee Gordon (Miami), Adam Jones (Baltimore), David Robertson (Chicago White Sox)