Tom Haudricourt

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The Milwaukee chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America selected Ryan Braun as the Brewers' Most Valuable Player for the 2016 season.

In the annual awards announced Monday by the club, a five-person panel of the Milwaukee chapter of the BBWAA also selected right-hander Junior Guerra as the Brewers' Most Valuable Pitcher, infielder Jonathan Villar as the Top Newcomer, infielder/outfielder Hernan Perez as Unsung Hero and first baseman Chris Carter as winner of the Good Guy Award.

Braun recovered from offseason back surgery to lead the Brewers with a .305 batting average, 275 total bases, .538 slugging percentage and .903 OPS. He drove in 91 runs and stole 16 bases in 135 games. Braun returned to left field after two years in right field and ranked among the league leaders with 12 assists.

This marks the fourth time Braun was selected as the Brewers' MVP. Others considered were Villar and Carter.

As a 31-year-old rookie who began the season in the minors, Guerra led the starting rotation with a 2.81 ERA and went 9-3 in 20 starts, missing much of August with an elbow injury. Guerra accumulated 12 quality starts and held opponents to a .213 batting average. The Brewers were 14-6 in his starts.

Others considered for the pitching award were right-hander Zach Davies and relievers Carlos Torres and Tyler Thornburg.

Villar, who was acquired last winter in a trade with Houston, led the major leagues with 62 stolen bases and was second on the club with 156 games played. He led the Brewers with 589 at-bats, 92 runs scored, 168 hits, 38 doubles, 79 walks and .369 OBP. Villar became the Brewers’ first stolen base champion since Scott Podsednik in 2004.

Others considered as top newcomer were Guerra, Carter and Torres.

Perez, who was not on the 40-man roster at the start of the season, became the Brewers' most versatile performer, making 45 starts at third base, 31 in right field, eight at second base, seven in center field, four at first base and one at shortstop. He saw action at every regular position except catcher. In 123 games, he batted .272 with 13 HRs and 56 RBI, and ranked fourth in the NL with 34 stolen bases.

Others considered were Torres and Kirk Nieuwenhuis.

The Good Guy Award is given every season to a player who had an outgoing, friendly presence in the clubhouse and interacted in a cooperative and pleasant manner with the media. Signed as a free agent last offseason, Carter tied for the National League lead with 41 home runs and 160 games played, and led the club with 94 RBI and 69 extra-base hits. He established career highs in eight offensive categories.

Others considered were Scooter Gennett, Martin Maldonado and Perez.