Josh Donaldson Wins Player of the Year at 2015 Players Choice Awards

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson received one of Major League Baseball's highest honors Monday, as he was named the 2015 Player of the Year as part of the Players Choice Awards on MLB Network.

MLB.com announced the news: 

The 29-year-old star beat out Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke and Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper to secure the award for the first time in his career.

Toronto acquired Donaldson from the Oakland Athletics in an offseason trade, and he didn't disappoint, as he hit .297 and set career highs with 41 home runs and 123 RBI, which ranked third and first, respectively, in the American League.

As part of a dominant lineup that also included Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Troy Tulowitzki, Donaldson helped lead the Blue Jays to their first AL East crown and playoff appearance since 1993.

The 2015 Player of the Year Award is far from the only hardware he has brought home, as he previously won the American League Hank Aaron Award as well.

That led to a great deal of praise from many of his teammates, including his middle-of-the-order bash brother in Bautista:

Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman also made it clear that he believed his teammate deserved the honors bestowed upon him:

The biggest individual award in baseball is very much within reach for Donaldson as well in the form of the American League MVP award. He may very well be the front-runner, with Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout acting as his closest competition.

Donaldson has come a long way since bursting onto the scene with the Oakland A's in 2013. He has made steady progress in all areas and is now among the best players in baseball despite being what most would consider a late bloomer.

It was apparent to most observers that what Donaldson was doing throughout the 2015 season was special, and winning the Players Choice Player of the Year Award proves his peers took notice too.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.