Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin won the National League Rookie of the Year Award. It was a very deserving honor, as the Braves' young catcher emerged as one of the best-hitting catchers in baseball.
But unlike the American League Rookie of the Year race, where Athletics' Nick Kurtz ran away with the voting, the NL race was a lot closer. Chicago Cubs starter Cade Horton had a case for the award, but Baldwin beat him out.
Jesse Rogers of ESPN shared Baldwin's reaction to beating out Horton. Baldwin accepted the honor graciously, while also giving Horton his kudos for an incredible year.
Drake Baldwin praises Cade Horton after NL Rookie of the Year win
"I know it's tough to judge who had a better year between a pitcher and a catcher," Baldwin said. "He had a fantastic year. I got to face him in two series. He looked really good. I'll just say that. If he had won... I would have understood why."
Baldwin was very complimentary of Horton, as both were the clear favorites to win the NL Rookie of the Year Award, and he wouldn't have been surprised if he lost to Horton.
The voting was close, with Baldwin receiving 21 first-place votes and nine second-place votes, while Horton had nine first-place votes, 16 second-place votes, and four third-place votes. While it was a clear win for Baldwin, Horton wasn't too far behind.
The Braves' 24-year-old catcher had a great rookie year and was more than deserving of this honor. He hit.274 with an.810 OPS in 124 games played for Atlanta.
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Baldwin had 111 hits, 18 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 56 runs scored, 80 RBIs, 38 walks, and only 68 strikeouts. His 126 OPS+ was a great number in his rookie season, and adding decent fielding from the catcher position, Baldwin's rookie year was incredible.
Horton, meanwhile, had a 2.67 ERA, an 11-4 record, 97 strikeouts, a 1.085 WHIP, and a 144 ERA+ in 118 innings across 23 games and 22 starts. His second half was dominant, posting a 1.36 ERA since the start of July in his final 14 games.
But Baldwin's season-long success was enough to win the award, and the Braves' rookie catcher accepted it graciously, complimenting Horton for his incredible season.
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