Rays outfielder Wil Myers and Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez are this year’s Rookie of the Year winners, as selected by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
Initially projected to open the season at Double-A Jacksonville, Fernandez instead found himself on the Opening Day roster due to a couple of injuries. The right-hander seized the moment, and at age 20, made his MLB debut on April 7.
Fernandez finished 12-6, and his 2.19 ERA was second in the NL to Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw‘s 1.83. In his 28 starts, the Marlins were 18-10. Fernandez paced all NL rookies in ERA (2.19), strikeouts (187), batting average against (.182) and WHIP (0.98). He also averaged 9.75 strikeouts per nine innings. His 5.8 hits allowed per nine innings was the lowest figure in the NL since 1985 and best in the majors since 2000.
Myers didn’t make his major-league debut until June 18 of this past season, but on a rate basis his numbers were quite strong: .293/.354/.478 with an OPS+ of 132. The 22-year-old Myers, who was acquired from the Royals last offseason in a deal that featured right-hander James Shields, also tallied 13 homers and 23 doubles in 88 games. Myers’ selection makes the Rays the only team with three Rookies of the Year on its active roster – and all were chosen while with Tampa Bay – pitcher Jeremy Hellickson in 2011 and third baseman Evan Longoria in 2008.
Congratulations to both players.
