Cal Raleigh, Logan Gilbert, Andres Muñoz named Mariners’ BBWAA award winners

There was an air of disappointment, naturally, as the Mariners prepared to play the Oakland A’s on Friday night at T-Mobile Park.

Eliminated from postseason contention on Thursday, the Mariners have little to play for in their final three games this weekend.

Just don’t tell that to Logan Gilbert.

The 27-year-old emerging ace said he fully expects to make his 33rd start of the season in the Mariners’ finale Sunday afternoon.

Gilbert came to the ballpark during the Mariners’ off day Thursday to throw his regular between-starts bullpen session, preparing for his next start as he normally would.

It’s that mentality, that work ethic, that helped Gilbert reach the 200-inning plateau for the first time in his career, and a key reason he has been named the Mariners’ Pitcher of the Year from the local chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

Catcher Cal Raleigh has been named the Mariners’ Most Valuable Player for the first time and closer Andres Muñoz received the Unsung Hero award.

Seattle Times reporter Ryan Divish, sporting a gray blazer, cowboy boots and a cheerful smile, presented the awards during a pregame ceremony on the field Friday night.

Gilbert crossed the 200-inning mark on Tuesday in Houston, one of just three pitchers in MLB to throw 200 innings this season (through Thursday).

And at 213 strikeouts, Gilbert became just the sixth pitcher in Mariners history to throw 200 innings with 200 strikeouts in a season, and the first since Felix Hernandez in 2014.

Gilbert ranks No. 1 in MLB with a 0.91 WHIP, No. 3 in batting average against (.199), No. 3 in innings pitched (203) and No. 5 in strikeouts (213).

The Mariners haven’t officially announced their starting pitchers for the final two games, but Gilbert said he wants to pitch Sunday.

“When you look at Logan and getting 200 innings, it’s a big milestone for him, certainly,” manager Dan Wilson said. “And that’s not easy to do in this league. He’s had an incredible season.”

Raleigh has had the best season by a catcher in club history.

He’s broken his own club record (for a catcher) with 31 home runs, and his 96 RBI are also a club record for a catcher.

A leading candidate to win the American League Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards, Raleigh also ranks among the best defensive catchers in the league by just about every metric.

“He’s definitely the best catcher in the league,” Wilson said.

The 25-year-old Muñoz was one of the best closers in the American League, posting 22 saves with a 2.12 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 59.1 innings.

In a bullpen riddled with injuries, Muñoz was the one reliable reliever for the Mariners all season, despite a back injury that limited him in the first half of the season.

“It’s such an interesting role, that closer role, and I think he’s really grown into that role and begun to master it,” Wilson said. “What he’s learned over the last couple years in that role will really help him going forward as well.”