Former Toreros star Kris Bryant wins NL’s Rookie of the Year

The truth is the detractors drove him – to heights that carried him from the college player of the year in 2013, Baseball America minor league player of the year in 2014 and, on Monday night, the 2015 National League Rookie of the Year Award victor. His on-base, slugging an OPS led all rookies, and his 26 home runs were tied for the lead among rookies.

Correa, who turned 21 on September 22, received 17 first-place votes and 13 second-place votes to total 124 points. Third baseman Matt Duffy of the San Francisco Giants finished second, followed by Jung Ho Kang of Pittsburgh, Noah Syndergaard of the NY Mets and Justin Bour of the Miami Marlins. Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 13 firsts, 14 seconds and two thirds for 109 points, and Minnesota designated hitter Miguel Sano was third with 20 points. 279 with 22 homers, 22 doubles, 68 RBIs and 14 stolen bases during the 2015 season.

The last NL Rookie of the Year with San Diego connections was Dodger first baseman Eric Karros in 1992. How a few people were questioning if it would cost the Cubs before the season was over by not bringing him up out of Spring Training?

Bryant and Correa each earned the major league minimum salary of $507,500.

The young shortstop had a spectacular season hitting and fielding, helping lead the Astros to the playoffs and one-game from an upset of the eventual World Series champion Kansas City Royals.

“I played with a little chip on my shoulder this year. It’s just been an incredible year for me”. You really want to help your team win in any way possible and sometimes when you have something to play for, you play even better.

“He exceeded expectations on how he handled the spotlight and the pressure on hitting in the middle of the order at such an early part of his career and his overall impact on his teammates”, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said.

In addition to starting 136 games at third, Bryant also started five games in right field, four in left, one in center and one at first base.