CLEVELAND – Former University of Akron baseball standout Chris Bassitt has been named the recipient of the 2026 Players Choice Awards Marvin Miller Man of the Year, recognizing his leadership and dedication to his fellow Major League Baseball players.
Bassitt, a Toledo, Ohio, native who pitched at Akron before being selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 16th round of the 2011 MLB Draft, currently pitches for the Baltimore Orioles. He has established himself as a respected voice among his peers through his work with the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA).
The Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award recognizes the player “whose leadership most inspires others to higher levels of achievement.” Named in honor of the MLBPA’s first full-time executive director, the award celebrates players who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to their fellow players. The Players Choice Awards have been presented annually since 1992, with winners selected exclusively by active MLB players.
Bassitt serves as an MLBPA player representative and a member of the association’s Executive Subcommittee, where he provides leadership and represents the interests of his fellow players. He was selected as the 2026 recipient over fellow finalists Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs and Pablo López of the Minnesota Twins.
The honor adds to Bassitt’s legacy as a former Mid-American Conference student-athlete who has carried his leadership from the college diamond to the major leagues.
For more information on the 2026 Players Choice Awards, visit MLBPA.com.
