Comeback Player of the Year

The Comeback Player of the Year Awards are presented annually to one player in each league who has re-emerged on the field during the season. The 30 club beat reporters from MLB.com selected the winners from an original list of 30 candidates (one per MLB club). The award debuted in 2005.

American League

Year Player Team Position
2024 Garrett Crochet Chi White Sox P
2023 Liam Hendriks Chi White Sox P
2022 Justin Verlander Houston P
2021 Trey Mancini Baltimore 1B/OF
2020 Salvador Perez Kansas City C
2019 Carlos Carrasco Cleveland P
2018 David Price Boston SP
2017 Mike Moustakas Kansas City 3B
2016 Rick Porcello Boston SP
2015 Prince Fielder Texas 1B
2014 Chris Young Seattle P
2013 Mariano Rivera NY Yankees P
2012 Fernando Rodney Tampa Bay P
2011 Jacoby Ellsbury Boston OF
2010 Francisco Liriano Minnesota P
2009 Aaron Hill Toronto 2B
2008 Cliff Lee Cleveland P
2007 Carlos Pena Tampa Bay 1B
2006 Jim Thome Chi White Sox DH
2005 Jason Giambi NY Yankees 1B

National League

Year Player Team Position
2024 Chris Sale Atlanta P
2023 Cody Bellinger Chi Cubs OF/1B
2022 Albert Pujols St. Louis DH
2021 Buster Posey San Francisco C
2020 Daniel Bard Colorado P
2019 Josh Donaldson Atlanta 3B
2018 Jonny Venters Atlanta RP
2017 Greg Holland Colorado P
2016 Anthony Rendon Washington 3B
2015 Matt Harvey NY Mets P
2014 Casey McGehee Miami 3B
2013 Francisco Liriano Pittsburgh P
2012 Buster Posey San Francisco C
2011 Lance Berkman St. Louis OF
2010 Tim Hudson Atlanta P
2009 Chris Carpenter St. Louis P
2008 Brad Lidge Philadelphia P
2007 Dmitri Young Washington 1B
2006 Nomar Garciaparra LA Dodgers 1B
2005 Ken Griffey Jr. Cincinnati OF