MIAMI, FL — Prior to the Dodgers-Marlins matchup on Wednesday night at loanDepot Park, Miami’s left-hander Jesús Luzardo was honored with his 2023 LatinoMVP National League LatinoMVP Starting Pitcher of the Year award by Latino Sports’ German DuBois III and Julian Guilarte.
All Hail Jesús Luzardo! 🇵🇪🏆🇻🇪
Prior to tonight’s Dodgers-Marlins game in Miami, Luzardo was presented with his 2023 National League #LatinoMVP Pitcher of the Year award by our very own German DuBois III & @JulianGuilarte1 #MLB #LatinoSports #MarlinsBeisbol #LasMayores pic.twitter.com/oQDRW6GD7f
— Latino Sports (@LatinoSports) September 19, 2024
Luzardo’s extraordinary award was created by Maz Adams, one of Latino Sports’ exclusive artists who does a splendid job in crafting six-out-of-the-eight LatinoMVP awards given to each year’s LatinoMVP award recipients.
You can learn more on Maz and his rare artwork at @mazadamsart on Instagram, and on his personal website at mazadamsart.com.
Up close look of Jesús Luzardo’s 2023 NL LatinoMVP Starting Pitcher of the Year award brought to you by Maz Adams – Image Credit: Latino Sports
The LatinoMVP awards, which began in 1990, continuing for each season on with this year marking the 34th annual awards, are the oldest and most prestigious awards given to Latin MLB athletes. Over the years, many former and current big leaguers have compared the LatinoMVP to a Latin Grammy of Baseball.
With votes being made by members of the Latino Sports Writers and Broadcasters Association (LSWBA) each season and celebrated the following season during Hispanic Heritage Month, Luzardo was selected as the 2023 NL LatinoMVP among National League Starting Pitchers. This makes back to back years where a Marlins’ starting pitcher has taken home this award, with right-hander Sandy Alcántara winning it last year for his dominant 2022 campaign.
“I think it’s special. And I think that Latinos bring something very important, a little seasoning to the ballpark and at the same time, I think it is something special that we must be grateful for.” -Jesús Luzardo, 2023 NL LatinoMVP Starting Pitcher of the Year
Jesús Luzardo, of the @Marlins, the first Peruvian-born player in @MLB history, was recently named the winner of the 2023 NL #LatinoMVP Starting Pitcher award – an award deemed the “Latin Grammy of Baseball.” 🏆⚾️🇵🇪🇻🇪
Congrats @Baby_Jesus9 ! 🎉#LatinoSports #MarlinsBeisbol pic.twitter.com/vmw9EM4qMG
— Latino Sports (@LatinoSports) April 10, 2024
In 2023, the Peruvian and Venezuelan, Luzardo went 10-10 in 32 outings. He had a breakout season for the fish, helping Miami make the playoffs for just the third time since 2003, with career highs in innings and strikeouts with 178 and 208 respectively. His strikeouts were good for seventh in the NL, the third most in Marlins history, while becoming only the second Marlins lefty to reach 200 strikeouts or more in franchise history.
The 26-year-old who was born in Lima, Peru, also had an ERA of 3.55 (8th in the NL), a WHIP of 1.21 (11th in NL), and a bWAR of four (6th in the NL).
Additionally, Luzardo, known as the Lizard King, is the first Peruvian-born player ever to play in Major League Baseball, and first Peruvian player to win a LatinoMVP award.
Jesús Luzardo, recipient of 2023 National League LatinoMVP Starting Pitcher award, and first-ever Peruvian to win a LatinoMVP award, with his LatinoMVP shirt – Image Credit: Latino Sports
This has been a challenging season for the Marlins frontline starter as he has made just 13 starts, due to elbow tightness and lumbar stress reaction. Luzardo has been out since June due to the injuries and it was reported over the summer that he will not pitch again this season.
More Info on the 2023 NL LatinoMVP Starting Pitcher of the Year
Born in Peru, and raised in Parkland, Florida, Luzardo was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft.
In 2017, he was traded to the Oakland Athletics and made his MLB debut with them in September of 2019. He was traded again at the 2021 MLB trade deadline to the Marlins for Dominican outfielder Starling Marte.
Jesús Luzardo, first-ever Peruvian-born player to appear in MLB – Image Credit: Miami Marlins
All of us at Latino Sports, and those in the Latino Sports Writers and Broadcasters Association, wish Jesús the best in his recovery and congratulate him for his well deserved LatinoMVP honors.
2023 LatinoMVP Award Winners
American League LatinoMVP
Julio Rodríguez – Seattle Mariners
National League LatinoMVP
Ronald Acuña Jr. – Atlanta Braves
American League LatinoMVP Starting Pitcher
Luis Castillo – Seattle Mariners
National League LatinoMVP Starting Pitcher
Jesús Luzardo – Miami Marlins
American League LatinoMVP Reliever/Closer
Félix Bautista – Baltimore Orioles
National League LatinoMVP Reliever/Closer
Alexis Díaz – Cincinnati Reds
American League LatinoMVP Rookie of the Year
Yainer Díaz – Houston Astros
National League LatinoMVP Rookie of the Year
Elly De La Cruz – Cincinnati Reds
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Julio
September 18, 2024 at 9:38 pm
Very good informative & on point article.
Julian Guilarte
October 5, 2024 at 8:52 pm
Thank you!