Judge named unanimous AL Rookie of the Year
For the first time in over two decades, the American League Rookie of the Year is wearing pinstripes.
Aaron Judge was handed the award Monday, winning in unanimous fashion, beating out Boston Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi and Baltimore Orioles outfielder Trey Mancini.
| Player | Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Judge | NYY | 30 | - | - | 150 |
| Andrew Benintendi | BOS | - | 23 | 6 | 75 |
| Trey Mancini | BAL | - | 5 | 16 | 31 |
The 25-year-old posted a historic rookie season and emerged as one of baseball's premier power hitters. In 155 games, Judge slashed .284/.422/.627 with 52 home runs, 114 RBIs, and 127 walks. He led the AL in runs, homers, strikeouts, walks, and WAR, and was second in slugging, on-base-percentage, OPS, and RBIs.
"It means everything. It's quite an honor," Judge said, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. "It's an honor and a privilege. I'm just one piece in an organization. The impact my teammates, family, and friends have had on me this year have been huge. I can't thank them enough."
During the 2017 campaign, Judge wrote his name in both the Yankees' and MLB record books on numerous occasions:
- Shattered Joe DiMaggio's Yankees' rookie home run record in July.
- Is the second rookie to hit 30 home runs before the All-Star break.
- Became the first AL rookie to record 100 walks in a season since 1950.
- Joined Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle as the only Yankees to hit 40 home runs in a season at age 25 or younger.
- Passed Mark McGwire's all-time rookie homer mark with his 50th on Sept. 25.
- Broke Ruth's single-season franchise record with 33 homers at Yankee Stadium.
- Was the two-time Player of the Month, and four-time Rookie of the Month.
- Won 2017 Home Run Derby.
Judge is the ninth Rookie of the Year in Yankees history, and first to win the award since Derek Jeter in 1996.