It was nearly impossible to tear Willi Castro off the field this year as the utilityman bounced from position to position for the Twins, playing in 158 games. The 27-year-old, who wrote his name in the record books as the only player in Major League Baseball history to play 25 or more games at five different defensive players in a season, was rewarded by being named to his first All-Star Game in July and being named a Gold Glove Award finalist on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he was announced as the Most Valuable Twin and will be honored at the 20th annual Diamond Awards, which will take place on Jan. 23 at the Armory in downtown Minneapolis. While Castro was honored for his defense a day earlier, it was Carlos Santana, the Twins’ other Gold Glove Award finalist, who was named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year. The 38-year-old first baseman has a strong chance to win his first Gold Glove Award next month. For a season in which he posted a 2.03 earned-run average, a 0.873 WHIP (Walks and Hits Per Innings Pitched) and struck out 95 in 71 innings pitched, reliever Griffin Jax was named the Twins’ Pitcher of the Year. Jax, in the best season of his career, pitched in 72 games and was the Twins’ most reliable bullpen arm from start to end. Fellow reliever Cole Sands was named the Twins’ Most Improved Player, posting a 3.28 earned-run average across 71 1/3 innings. Sands become a valuable late-inning member of the Twins’ bullpen, a year after appearing in games sparingly and bouncing back and forth between Triple-A and the majors. Catcher Ryan Jeffers, a go-to with the media for his candidness and approachability in good times and bad, was named Media Good Guy for the first time in his career, and shortstop Carlos Correa took home the Bob Allison Award for the third straight year for his “determination, hustle, tenacity, competitive spirit and leadership.” Simeon Woods Richardson, who joined the Twins’ starting rotation in April and capably took the ball every fifth day, was named the Twins’ Outstanding Rookie, and Philadelphia Phillies reliever Matt Strahm was named the Upper Midwest Player of the Year. The North Dakota native posted a 1.87 earned-run average and earned a trip to his first All-Star Game in the process. Royce Lewis was named the winner of the Outstanding Community Service Award for his work in the community, which included creating a live auction at last year’s Diamond Awards for a meal with him and his fiancée, Samantha, raising thousands of dollars for the University of Minnesota in the process. Torii Hunter received the Twins’ Alumni Community Service Award. All proceeds from the Diamond Awards go towards the University’s brain, nerve and muscle disorder patient care, research and education and tickets for the event are on sale. Related Articles Minnesota Twins | Five things to know about a possible Twins sale Minnesota Twins | Twins players Carlos Santana, Willi Castro named Gold Glove Award finalists Minnesota Twins | Twins hiring hitting coach Matt Borgschulte Minnesota Twins | What you need to know about the Twins’ new television deal Minnesota Twins | After 40 years, Pohlad family exploring sale of Twins