Twins standouts honored for 2011 success

MINNEAPOLIS -- Michael Cuddyer was named Twins' Performer of the Year, Scott Baker was named Twins' Pitcher of the Year and Glen Perkins was named Twins' Breakout Player of the Year, as selected by MLB.com.

Cuddyer, 32, hit .284 with a .346 on-base percentage and .459 slugging percentage in 139 games. He also led the team with 20 homers, 29 doubles and 70 runs while finishing second to Danny Valencia in RBIs, with 70.

Cuddyer, who is currently a free agent, was named an All-Star for the first time in his career and was the club's lone representative at the Midsummer Classic. Cuddyer also showed his versatility by seeing time in right field, first base and second base, and even threw a scoreless inning in relief against the Rangers on July 25.

Baker, meanwhile, led Twins starters in ERA (3.14), strikeouts (123), and WHIP (1.17). The right-hander tossed 134 2/3 innings, allowing 32 walks and 15 home runs in 23 appearances (21 starts).

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The 30-year-old was on pace for a career year before being placed on the disabled list twice with a muscle strain related to his right forearm and elbow. He was originally placed on the DL on Aug. 9 (retroactive to July 7) with a right elbow strain. He made two appearances out of the bullpen in late September, tossing three scoreless innings as a reliever.

But it was Perkins who was Minnesota's most valuable reliever during the season, as he bounced back from his struggles in 2010 to earn the honor of being the club's Breakthrough Player of the Year.

A year after posting a 5.82 ERA in 21 1/3 innings with the Twins and a 5.81 ERA in 124 innings with Triple-A Rochester in 2010, Perkins established himself as a top left-handed reliever this year. Perkins posted a 2.48 ERA with 65 strikeouts and 21 walks in 61 2/3 innings while picking up four wins and two saves in 65 appearances.