NEW YORK — Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant was a unanimous pick as NL Rookie of the Year, and Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa was voted the AL honor.
Bryant made his debut on April 17 and became an NL All-Star. The 23-year-old hit .275, leading big league rookies with 26 homers, 31 doubles and 99 RBIs as Chicago returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2008
He received all 30 first-place votes for 150 points from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in balloting announced Monday. San Francisco third baseman Matt Duffy was second with 70 points and Pittsburgh infielder Jung Ho Kang third with 28 points.
Correa, the top pick in the 2012 amateur draft, made his debut June 8 and hit .279 with 22 homers, 68 RBIs and 14 steals, helping the Astros make their first postseason appearance in a decade. The youngest position player in the major leagues, he turned 21 in September.
Correa received 17 firsts and 13 seconds for 124 points. Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 13 firsts, 14 seconds and two thirds for 109 points, and Minnesota designated hitter Miguel Sano was third with 20 points.
Houston’s only previous Rookie of the Year was Jeff Bagwell, who won the 1991 NL honor. Bryant is the Cubs’ sixth winner and first since catcher Geovany Soto in 2008.
Bryant and Correa each had the $507,500 minimum salary in the majors. Chicago brought up Bryant after ensuring he cannot be a free agent until after the 2021 season, and Houston gave Correa his debut after making sure he won’t be arbitration eligible until following the 2018 season.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
