Miami Marlins All-Star Marcell Ozuna was named as the local winner of the Heart and Hustle Award on Tuesday.
Each team has a preliminary winner named before an overall winner takes home the title in November. Christian Yelich was the Miami winner last year in what was a .300 season for the outfielder.
The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association describes the award as follows:
This esteemed award honors active players who demonstrate a passion for the game of baseball and best embody the values, spirit and traditions of the game. The Heart and Hustle Award is also the only award in Major League Baseball that is voted on by former players. Voting is conducted prior to the All-Star break."
Ozuna is having a remarkable season and is one of the biggest reasons that Miami finds itself in playoff contention. Ozuna is hitting .304 this year with a .355 on-base percentage. The 25-year old was named to his first All-Star Game this year and started the game. During that contest, Ozuna knocked in a run on a national stage.
Other players named as winners on Tuesday include Floridian Anthony Rizzo of the Chicago Cubs and former Miami Hurricane Jon Jay of the San Diego Padres.
The overall winner will be announced on November 15th at the Legends for Youth Dinner in New York.
