Hellickson, Kimbrel voted top rookies
Published 2:15 am Tuesday, November 15, 2011
NEW YORK (AP) — Atlanta Braves closer Craig Kimbrel has been chosen the NL Rookie of the Year in a unanimous vote and Tampa Bay pitcher Jeremy Hellickson has won the AL award.
The honors were announced Monday.
Kimbrel set a major league record for saves by a rookie with 46. The hard-throwing righty earned all 32 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Kimbrel easily outpointed Braves teammate Freddie Freeman.
Hellickson went 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA in helping the Rays win the AL wild-card spot. He drew 17 of 28 first-place votes and finished ahead of Los Angeles Angels first baseman Mark Trumbo.
The AL Cy Young Award will be announced Tuesday.