Tampa Bay Rays’ starter Jeremy Hellickson and Atlanta Braves’ closer Craig Kimbrel were selected Monday for the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Awards for their performances in their respective leagues.
The 24-year-old Hellickson went 13-10 in 29 starts totaling 189 innings for the Wild Card winners of the American League. The right-hander from Des Moines, Iowa, ranked eighth in the league in ERA at 2.95.
Hellickson received 17 of 28 first-place votes in becoming the second player in franchise history to win the award.
Coming in behind Hellickson were Angels’ first baseman Mark Trumbo, Kansas City first baseman Eric Hosmer and Yankees’ starter Ivan Nova.
Kimbrel, 23, was a unanimous winner in the National League. The 2011 All-Star selection saved 46 games for Atlanta—a rookie record—while compiling an ERA of 2.10. The right-hander struck out 127 batters in just 77 innings of work.
Finishing behind Kimbrel in the voting was his teammate Freddie Freeman followed by Philadelphia Phillies starter Vance Worley.
