Zack Greinke, Josh Donaldson Receive 2015 Players Choice Awards

Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson and Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Greinke received their Players Choice Awards in pre-game ceremonies this weekend.

Greinke, who was presented with his 2015 NL Outstanding Pitcher award from D-Backs teammate and player rep Paul Goldschmidt on Saturday, was 19-3 with 200 strikeouts in 222 2/3 innings last season while leading the majors with a 1.66 ERA, a 9.3 WAR, 0.84 WHIP and a .231 on-base percentage allowed.

In recognition of the award, the Major League Baseball Players Trust is contributing $20,000 in grants to the charitable organizations of Greinke’s choice, $5,000 of which he has already directed to go to the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.).

B.A.T. was formed in 1986 by a group of former Major League Baseball players to confidentially help members of the “Baseball Family” who were in need of assistance with nowhere else to turn. In 1991, a one-time contribution was jointly made by the Major League Baseball Players Association, Major League Baseball and the Gannett affiliated Freedom Foundation to establish an endowment for B.A.T.

Donaldson received two 2015 Players Choice Awards -- overall Player of the Year and AL Outstanding Player. 

Donaldson, in just his third full season, batted .297 with 41 home runs and also led the league in runs (122), RBIs (123), total bases (352) and sacrifice flies (10). He also led the major leagues with 20 game-winning RBIs to help Blue Jays win the AL East.

The Players Trust is providing combined contribution of $70,000 ($50,000 for Player of the Year and $20,000 for AL Outstanding Player) to charitable organizations of Donaldson’s choice. He’s already directed $50,000 to Faith Academy of Mobile, Ala.

Faith Academy seeks to enroll average ability students from primarily middle class socio-economic level, and provides a learning center for students with special learning handicaps, as well as honors classes for gifted learners. Faith Academy seeks to provide for its students’ spiritual, artistic, athletic, social and personal needs through its daily school program and extracurricular activities.

2015 Players Choice Awards winners were selected by players on Sept. 16, 2015 in league-wide balloting conducted under the supervision of accounting firm KPMG, and were announced in November on MLB Network and presented by MLB The Show.

To view a list of all Players Choice Award winners, click here.