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Kris Bryant And Carlos Correa Win Major League Baseball Rookie Of The Year Awards
Posted On Nov 18 2015
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“That couldn’t be any further from the truth”.
Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa – a player the Cubs once worked out at Wrigley Field and thought might fall to them at the sixth pick if things broke a certain way in the 2012 draft – won the American League Rookie of the Year hardware.
“You feed off each other”, Bryant said.
Bryant’s 26 homers surpassed Billy Williams’ rookie mark of 25 in 1961 – when Williams became the first Cubs player to win the BBWAA Rookie of the Year honor. He led the minor leagues in home runs in 2014, which was his first full professional season.
The San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Duffy was second, with 70 points, and Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang third, with 28 points. Chicago brought up Bryant after waiting just long enough to ensure he can not become a free agent until after the 2021 season.
“I went out there and played as hard as I can with a little chip on my shoulder and things turned out great”. And I think it’s good to play that way sometimes. Given his age, power and solid defense, he has “best player in the game” potential. Everyone that’s been a huge support system for me for this whole season.
And what made that home run special to Bryant was not just the fact that he hit a curve off former National League Cy Young Award winning Clayton Kershaw, but that he drove the pitch over the wall in right field.
Most impressive was his eight-week finishing kick in the first six-month season of his life – hitting. 417 on-base percentage with runners in scoring position. 970 OPS in 57 games after August 1. He led the American League in second-half batting average (.345) and was third in hits with 99.
Regardless of whether he won the award or not the award, it has been a pleasure to watch Lindor handle shortstop since being called up for the final 100 games of the season.
“There’s always ways to improve”, said Bryant, sounding for a moment like he was searching for the means, if not the plan.
