The Baseball Writers' Association of America announced finalists in each league for its four major awards on Tuesday, with White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu the leading candidate for American League Rookie of the Year.
Jose Abreu heads 2014 Rookie of the Year finalists
Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Abreu is one of three finalists for the AL Rookie of the Year, along with Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances and Angels starter Matt Shoemaker.
The National League Rookie of the Year finalists were Jacob deGrom of the Mets, speedster Billy Hamilton of the Reds and Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong.
The 27-year-old Abreu was a force in the middle of Chicago’s lineup in his first season out of Cuba, hitting .317/.383/.581 with 36 home runs and 107 RBI, leading the league in slugging percentage and OPS+ (169), and finishing second in total bases (323) and OPS (.964).
Betances led all major league relievers with 135 strikeouts in 90 innings for the Yankees. The right-hander was 5-0 with a 1.40 ERA in 70 games for New York. Shoemaker was 16-4 with a 3.04 ERA in 27 games, including 20 starts, for the Angels.
DeGrom was 9-6 with a 2.69 ERA in 22 starts with 144 strikeouts in 140.1 innings for the Mets. Hamilton stole 56 bases while hitting .249/.292/.388 patrolling center field for Cincinnati. Wong hit .249/.292/.388 with 12 home runs and 20 steals at second base for St. Louis.
Abreu and deGrom won 2014 Players Choice awards on Monday, voted on by players, as the top rookies in each league.
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