Marlins’ Jose Fernandez Named Players Choice NL Outstanding Rookie

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Sep 11, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez (16) receives a standing ovation during the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

At this pace, Jose Fernandez may end up winning more awards this offseason than the Miami Marlins had wins in the regular season.  Fernandez was named the 2013 National League’s Outstanding Rookie in the MLBPA Players Choice Awards.  The Players Choice Awards are voted on by the players in a secret ballot conducted by the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Fernandez is the third Marlins player to win the Players Choice NL Outstanding Rookie award.  Past Marlins selected for the award were Preston Wilson in 1999 and Dan Uggla in 2006.

2013 marks the 20th season in which the NL Outstanding Rookie award has been handed out by the MLBPA.  12 of the 19 past 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).  Neither of the 2 Marlins to previously win the award went on to win the Jackie Robinson ROY.

The players have made some interesting choices over the years including their selection of Uggla, who beat out fellow Marlin and eventual Jackie Robinson ROY winner, Hanley Ramirez in 2006.  Ramirez has not always been perceived in the best light for his sometimes brash attitude and less than max effort on the field, but his stats were clearly better than Uggla’s.  A similar slight seems to have occurred just last season when Todd Frazier was selected for the Players Choice award instead of the possibly more qualified, but less endearing Bryce Harper who would win the Jackie Robinson ROY.

Jose was named the Sporting News Rookie of the Year and the Baseball America 2013 Rookie of the Year earlier this offseason.  He was also a finalist for the Players Choice NL’s Outstanding Pitcher Award which eventually went to Clayton Kershaw.

The BBWAA Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award will be announced on November 11th, but the finalists for the award will be revealed tonight (November 5th) at 6PM EST on MLB Network.  Fernandez was 12-6 with a 2.19 ERA for the Marlins this past season and represented the team in the All-Star Game.