North St. Paul’s Louie Varland named top relief pitcher in American League

North St. Paul’s Louie Varland named top relief pitcher in American League Associated Press KSTP Sports 23 minutes ago Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Louis Varland reacts to a strikeout against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning in Game 5 of baseball's American League Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) North St. Paul native and Toronto’s Louis Varland won the A.L. Reliever of the Year award, while San Diego’s Mason Miller was a unanimous selection for the N.L. version. This marks the first year that the BBWAA voted on a reliever of the year. Varland won the reliever of the year award after going 5-6 with a 1.27 ERA, 35 saves and 97 strikeouts in 78 innings. Cleveland’s Cade Smith finished second in the voting, and Tampa Bay’s Bryan Baker was third.