CINCINNATI -- The Reds continued their long-standing tradition of announcing their award winners during the first day of Redsfest, which kicked off Friday at Duke Energy Center in downtown Cincinnati.
Unsurprisingly, the local chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America named Reds first baseman Joey Votto as the winner of the Ernie Lombardi Award, as the team's Most Valuable Player in 2017. It is Votto's sixth MVP award and the second consecutive time he's won the title by a unanimous vote.
Votto, 34, had another career year to add to the many the All-Star first baseman has compiled during his 11 years in the Major Leagues. He finished 2017 with a .320 batting average, 34 doubles, 36 home runs and 100 RBIs. He started all 162 games and was an NL Gold Glove finalist at first base.
His consistent performance nearly garnered him the National League MVP Award. Votto was narrowly edged by Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton in a race that ended up as the fourth-closest in the history of the award. Votto was also a finalist for the prestigious Hank Aaron Award for hitting excellence.

Right-handed pitcher Raisel Iglesias received the Johnny Vander Meer Most Outstanding Pitcher Award after posting a 2.49 ERA over 63 games. He allowed 21 earned runs over 76 innings of relief, struck out 92 and logged 28 saves.
The Cincinnati chapter of the BBWAA selected third baseman Eugenio Suarez as the recipient of the Joe Nuxhall "Good Guy" Award. This annual honor goes to the player who exhibits exceptional professionalism, is a good teammate and who embraces the responsibility of being accountable to fans and media.
• Prospect Greene a hit at Redsfest
Also, Suarez also had a fine year on the field, recording 26 homers and 82 RBIs while compiling a .260 batting average. He was also one of the most reliable Reds, playing in all but six games in 2017.

On the Minor League side, infielder Nick Senzel received the Sheldon "Chief" Bender Award as the organization's Minor League Player of the Year. Senzel, considered one of the Reds top prospects, hit .321 for Class A Daytona and Double-A Pensacola. He logged 40 doubles, 14 homers and 65 RBIs over 119 games.

The organization's other Minor League award winners included Hitter of the Year Jose Siri, who hit .293 over 126 games for Class A Dayton, and Pitcher of the Year Tyler Mahle, who compiled a combined 2.06 ERA over 144 1/3 innings for Pensacola and Triple-A Louisville. Mahle also made four starts for the Reds and recorded a 2.70 ERA.
Right-hander Aaron Fossas, who spent the season at Dayton, received the organization's Minor League Community Service Award. He was 4-1 with a 2.43 ERA over 66 2/3 innings for the Dragons.