Toronto Blue Jays: Handing out the internal awards for the 2021 season

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 02: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates with Teoscar Hernnadez #37 after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning during a MLB game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre on October 2, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 02: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates with Teoscar Hernnadez #37 after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning during a MLB game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre on October 2, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 29: Marcus Semien #10 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats during a MLB game against the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre on September 29, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Newcomer of the Year Award

Winner:  Marcus Semien

Honourable Mentions: Steven Matz & George Springer

After the Blue Jays missed out on Fransisco Lindor earlier this off-season, they set their sights on another infielder in Marcus Semien.

The Oakland Athletics shortstop was coming off a down 2020 season and was looking to rebuild his stock in 2021, having not been tendered a qualifying offer from the A’s and looking for a fresh start elsewhere. The Blue Jays would scoop him up on a one-year deal worth $18 million dollars, complimenting a roster that already signed George Springer to a mammoth 6-year, $150 million dollar contract earlier that off-season and multiple pitchers in Kirby Yates, Tyler Chatwood, and David Phelps while also trading for southpaw Steven Matz.

The Toronto Blue Jays 2021 season has officially come to an end and it is time to hand out the internal awards for players on the active roster.

Semien would start out of the gates a bit slow but would find his rhythm in May, riding a hot bat throughout the season that would see him post solid numbers while also breaking numerous records along the way.

The righty infielder would finish with a .265/.334/.538 slash line and a .873 OPS with 45 home runs and 102 RBI. He would break the Major League record for home runs in a single season for a second baseman with his 45 dingers while also leading all AL second baseman in terms of home runs, RBI, slugging, and OPS while also stealing 15 bases and finishing with a .983 fielding percentage at the position. He would also bat leadoff when Springer was injured and would end up starting in all 162 games for the Blue Jays this year.

The California product was one of the best players in the Blue Jays lineup and with George Springer spending roughly half of the season on the injured list, Semien takes the Newcomer Award and will most likely be receiving some votes for the AL MVP award this off-season and potentially a Silver Slugger as well.