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2017 Rookie of the Year Award Winners

2017 Rookie of the Year Award Winners: A jam packed season of action saw these two players put up incredible numbers and run away with the ROTY Awards

This year was an incredible season for Major League Baseball. Fans got to see a number of incredible accomplishments and a World Series for the ages with the Houston Astros taking down the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games.

The playoffs were a special time that featured many superstar players and some of the finalists for the Rookie of the Year Award. Aaron Judge, Andrew Benintendi, and Cody Bellinger all played big roles for their teams while competing in the postseason. In the end, there were just two guys that stood head and shoulders above their counterparts for the award.

2017 Rookie of the Year Award Winners

American League – Aaron Judge, OF, New York Yankees (150 points)

There was little doubt who was going to win the award for the AL this season. After all, Judge is not only the Rookie of the Year in the AL, but he is also one of three finalists for the AL MVP. He was the unanimous choice for AL Rookie of the Year voting.

Judge smashed his way onto the scene with an incredible first half and never let up on his way to winning this award. He finished the season with a slash-line of .284/.422/.627 with an OPS of 1.049. Judge hit a rookie-record 52 HRs, drove in 114 runs, scored 128 runs, added 24 doubles, and 127 walks. He was also selected as an AL All-Star.

There is no denying that Judge was clearly one of the most dominant players in all of baseball regardless of experience. He struggled at times in the playoffs but came up with three HRs, seven RBI, and five runs scored in the ALCS against Houston. He is a middle-of-the-lineup juggernaut that should terrorize the AL East for years to come.

Other finalists: Benintendi (Boston, 75 points), Trey Mancini (Baltimore, 31 points)

The Yankees made sure to congratulate their superstar on Twitter:

National League – Cody Bellinger, 1B/OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (150 points)

In all honesty, neither award was a nail-biting decision. Bellinger did not dominate quite as much as Judge, but his numbers were clearly the best for a rookie in the NL. Bellinger burst onto the scene after a number of early season injuries forced him into action. He took the opportunity and never looked back, becoming a staple in the middle of the Dodgers lineup. He was also won the award unanimously, just like Judge.

Bellinger would go on to slash .267/.352/.581 with a .933 OPS in 132 games with Los Angeles. He slugged 31 HRs, 79 RBI, 23 doubles, and scored 73 runs. Bellinger was also named to the NL All-Star team this year.

Like Judge, Bellinger faced struggles in the postseason but still found ways to come up big in key moments. He finished the playoffs with three HRs, nine RBI, and 10 runs scored. The only thing missing from Bellinger’s season is a World Series ring, but the Dodgers and Bellinger will likely be back before long.

Other finalists: Paul DeJong (St. Louis, 56 points), Josh Bell (Pittsburgh, 32 points)

The Dodgers congratulated their young star on Twitter:

Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images

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