Dodgers News: Yasiel Puig Finishes 2nd In Rookie Of The Year Vote
Dodgers rookie Yasiel Puig was trying to become the 17th player in franchise history to win the NL Rookie of the Year Award, but fell short of the honor, losing out to fellow Cuban Jose Fernandez of the Miami Marlins.
Puig had a strong rookie campaign, finishing with a .319 average, 19 home runs and 42 RBI in 104 games. He led all eligible NL rookies in runs scored (66) and on-base percentage (.391) and finished in the top five in hits (122), doubles (21), home runs, RBI, batting average, stolen bases (11), slugging percentage (.534) and OPS (.925).
According to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times, the Dodgers had two players in the top four but did not have the winner:
#Dodgers Yasiel Puig 2nd, Hyun-jin Ryu 4th in NL rookie of year. #Marlins Jose Fernandez wins.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) November 11, 2013
Puig finished second to the starting pitcher from the Marlins who went 12-6 with a 2.19 ERA and 187 strikeouts. Fernandez received 26 of the 30 first-place votes with Puig receiving the other four. Cardinals’ rookie starter Shelby Miller finished in third place and Ryu in fourth.
Puig may have won the award had he spent the entire season with the Dodgers, but he began the year in Double-A before being called up and making his debut on June 3. In his first month, Puig hit .436 and broke the Dodger record for hits in a month by a rookie with 44. He was named both National League Rookie of the Month and NL Player of the Month in June. Puig made a strong case to be named an All-Star and was even a finalist in the Final Vote for the NL team, but lost to Atlanta Braves’ first baseman Freddie Freeman.
The second-place finish for Puig was the first time that a Dodger player finished as the runner-up in the ROY vote. The Dodgers have had seven finalists in major award categories thus far and have just one win when pitcher Zack Greinke won the NL Silver Slugger last week. The Dodgers had five players shut out of the Gold Glove awards but still have two chances with NL Cy Young finalist Clayton Kershaw and NL Manager of the Year finalist Don Mattingly.
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