When Ryan Helsley set numerous career highs and became an All-Star in 2022, he still thought of himself simply as a “reliever” because he often was used early in games and regularly pitched multiple innings.

This past season, Helsley felt that he truly evolved into the role of “closer.” The Cardinals decided to use him exclusively in save or win situations and primarily for just three outs to help him be available more often.

• All-MLB Awards all-time winners

Helsley, 30, thrived in that more defined role, converting an MLB-best 49 saves and needing just 53 chances to do so for the National League’s best save percentage (92.5%). He also led the NL with 62 games finished. Helsley’s 49 saves were the most in the rich history of the Cardinals, breaking the previous record of 48 by Trevor Rosenthal in 2015.

Helsley’s stellar work earned him the Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Award and a spot on the All-MLB First Team presented by MGM Rewards. Helsley and Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase were presented with their NL and AL closer awards at the All-MLB Awards Show on Thursday night in Las Vegas.

“With the Cardinals deciding to use me just the one inning this year, that was really big for me,” Helsley said. “I tried to really embrace the role and be available as much as I could for my team. It’s the first time I was truly in that closer role, and I tried to make the most out of it.”

Helsley was 7-4 with a 2.04 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings. He became the first Cardinals closer to lead MLB in saves since Lee Smith in 1991 (47 saves). His 56 saves and wins combined were 67.5% of the Cardinals’ 83 total wins.

• Reliever of the Year Award all-time winners

“It was super impressive what [Helsley] did this season,” Cardinals starting pitcher Miles Mikolas said. “Any time he comes in, you can grab your coffee, take a sip and just kind of watch the show. It’s been super fun to see him have the success that he did.”

Outside of the sheer numbers Helsley put up, it was the dominance he exuded throughout the season that made his performance even more impressive. He set a Cardinals record by converting 31 straight save opportunities from April 2 to July 2 -- a stretch that ended only when an automatic runner scored in the 10th inning of a victory. In addition to posting a club-record 23 1-2-3 innings, Helsley led MLB in saves in April (10), June (12) and August (nine). He joined Bruce Sutter and Smith -- two Hall of Famers -- as the only Cardinals relievers to earn All-Star selections in multiple seasons.

And how about this for finishing with a flurry? Helsley, a two-time NL Reliever of the Month in 2024, did not allow an earned run over his final 17 2/3 innings.

All-MLB honors, first established in 2019, recognize the best player or players at each position across MLB, with both First Team and Second Team selections. Fans voted on the awards and were asked to consider only performance during the regular season. Each All-MLB Team includes one selection at catcher, first base, second base, shortstop, third base and DH, as well as three outfielders (regardless of specific outfield position), five starting pitchers and two relievers.