Aaron Judge‘s rookie season is definitely one for the record books.
On Monday afternoon, the 25-year-old was recognized for his efforts. He was awarded Sporting News’ American League Rookie of the Year award.
Sporting News has been giving out the award annually since 1946. The winner is currently chosen by a panel of 140 American League players, and the 25-year-old received 138 of the 140 total votes. He becomes the first Yankee to take home the award since Derek Jeter in 1996.
Yankees’ Aaron Judge wins Sporting News AL Rookie of the Year https://t.co/w38GZ3Rmlf pic.twitter.com/OHe21mc0v5
— Sporting News MLB (@sn_mlb) October 23, 2017
VOTING RESULTS (as per Sporting News)
Aaron Judge- New York Yankees- 138 votes
Andrew Benintendi– Boston Red Sox- 1 vote
Yuli Gurriel– Houston Astros- 1 vote
In 155 games this season, Judge posted a slash line of .284/.422/.627. His 52 home runs passed Mark McGwire for the most ever in a single rookie season. Along with the home run record, Judge finished in the Top 10 offensively in the following categories:
Wins Above Replacement
Offensive Wins Above Replacement
On-Base Percentage
Slugging Percentage
Runs Scored
Total Bases
Home Runs
Runs Batted In
Base on Balls
In what was projected to be a “rebuilding year,” Judge and the Baby Bombers proved everyone wrong. The Yankees won 90+ games, and were one win shy from making their first trip to the Fall Classic since 2009. It is no secret that Judge’s amazing rookie season was a major factor in the team’s overall success.
This award could be the first of many that Judge receives this offseason. It is safe to say that his rookie season in the big leagues definitely didn’t go unnoticed.
