Sep 12, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez in the dugout during a game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park. The Braves won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Jose Fernandez may need to start expanding the shelf space in his home with all of the hardware he is winning this offseason. Fernandez was named the Baseball America 2013 Rookie of the Year. Baseball America selects just one rookie from both leagues for this award.
The list of past winners is quite impressive with several future MVPs and Cy Young Award winners included:
PREVIOUS ROOKIES
OF THE YEAR
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004Khalil Greene, ss, Padres2003
Brandon Webb, rhp, Diamondbacks
2002
2001
Albert Pujols, of/3b/1b, Cardinals
2000Rafael Furcal, ss/2b, Braves1999Carlos Beltran, of, Royals
Fernandez is the first Marlins player to win the Baseball America award. Since 1999, 11 of the 14 winners of this award have gone on to win the official Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year award voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA). Interestingly enough, the winner of the Baseball America award did not go on to win the official ROY in 2003 and 2009 when Marlins Dontrelle Willis and Chris Coghlan were selected by the BBWAA.
Baseball America also released its 2013 All-Rookie Team which, of course, included Fernandez as one of five starting pitchers.
Jose was also named the Sporting News Rookie of the Year earlier this offseason in a landslide win over second place finisher Yasiel Puig of the Dodgers.
The BBWAA Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award will be announced on November 11th with Fernandez appearing to be the front runner at this point. Fernandez was 12-6 with a 2.19 ERA for the Marlins this past season and represented the team in the All-Star Game.