The Seattle Mariners finally have a Rookie of the Year winner for the first time since Ichiro Suzuki took home the award in 2001.
Outfielder Kyle Lewis was unanimously named the American League Rookie of the Year on Monday after a vote by the Baseball Writers Association of America. He becomes the franchise's fourth player to take home the award, joining Suzuki, Kazuhiro Sasaki (2000) and Alvin Davis (1984).
UNANIMOUS Rookie of the Year.
— MLB (@MLB) November 9, 2020
The future is bright in Seattle. pic.twitter.com/BbiicaY6py
Lewis received all 30 first-place votes and beat out Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert and Houston Astros pitcher Cristian Javier. Robert finished with 27 second-place votes while Javier finished third.
The 25-year-old quickly made a name for himself at the plate, racking up four home runs and 25 hits in his first 17 games. He finished the season with a .262 batting average, 28 RBI and 11 home runs.
While Lewis was solid at the plate, he also impressed in the field. He made a number of impressive plays, including robbing Oakland A's outfielder Ramon Laureano of a grand slam.
Kyle Lewis: 2020 AL Rookie of the Year.
— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) November 9, 2020
First Seattle Mariner to win the award since Ichiro in 2001. pic.twitter.com/2WIFgWWsO2
Plays such as this above one helped Lewis fend off Robert and Javier to win the award.
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