Drake Baldwin is a former Missouri State catcher who started opening day with the Atlanta Braves and played in 124 games batting .274 with 19 homers and 80 RBI. He received 21 of the 30 first-place votes. Baldwin is the MoState’s second winner of the award, joining 2005 winner Ryan Howard. Baldwin was Atlanta’s opening-day starter and played in 124 games with the Braves, batting .274 with 19 home runs and 80 RBIs as a rookie.
Baseball’s top newcomers have been crowned.
In the American League, Oakland A’s slugger Nick Kurtz ran away with Rookie of the Year honors, earning all 30 first-place votes. The 22-year-old first baseman hit .290 with 36 home runs and 86 RBIs, leading all AL rookies in nearly every major category. His breakout moment came in July, when he became the first rookie ever to hit four home runs in a single game.
Over in the National League, Drake Baldwin of the Atlanta Braves claimed the award after hitting .274 with 19 home runs and leading all NL rookies in WAR. The 24-year-old catcher was praised for his steady defense and clutch hitting as Atlanta pushed for another postseason run.
