Atlanta Braves closer Craig Kimbrel received all 32 first-place votes en route to winning the National League Rookie of the Year award today. In the American League, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jeremy Hellickson grabbed 17 first-place votes on his way to victory.
Kimbrel, a fire-baller at the back end of the Braves' bullpen, notched a rookie-record 46 saves this season. He was 4-3 with a 2.10 ERA. Hellickson was 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA.
Kimbrel and Hellickson had fine seasons--but there was no shortage of good candidates for the award in either league. Eric Hosmer and Mark Trumbo both look like budding stars at first base for the Royals and Angels respectively, while Kimbrel's teammate Freddie Freeman also had a dynamic big-league debut. There were also a number of other strong pitching candidates in both leagues. Ivan Nova emerged as a number two starter for the Yankees and Michael Pineda (who the sabermatricians love) struck out a ton of batters. In the National League Vance Worley often got lost in the shuffle of all of Philadelphia's star pitchers--but he had a heck of a year, as did Arizona's Josh Collmenter.
Who do you think deserved the award? Follow the link below to vote!
http://www.faniq.com/poll/Who-should-have-won-Rookie-of-the-Year-1403932
MLB, Player News / Analysis, Michael Pineda, Ivan Nova, Jeremy Hellickson, Vance Worley, Craig Kimbrel, Eric Hosmer, Mark Trumbo, Josh Collmenter, Freddie Freeman
Jeremy Hellickson and Craig Kimbrel win Rookie of the Year awards
11/14/11 in MLB
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Dan_B
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