Mike Trout Becomes Youngest Player to Win Award in American League History
ANAHEIM, CA – Angels’ outfielder Mike Trout today was named the 2012 Jackie Robinson American League Rookie of the Year in an announcement made Monday by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA). According to ELIAS, at 21 years and 58 days old at the end of the season, he becomes the youngest A.L. player ever to win the award.
Trout finished with a perfect score of 140 points in the balloting process, including all 28 first place first place votes. He finished 77 points ahead of second place finisher Yoenis Cespedes of Oakland (63 points). Trout becomes the 18th unanimous winner in the history of the prestigious award, just the eighth in the A.L. The 21-year-old is the second player in Angels’ history to earn the honor, joining Tim Salmon in 1993. In the 1993 campaign, Salmon hit .283 (146/515) and led all A.L. rookies in doubles (35), home runs (31) and RBI (95).
"I would like to congratulate Mike on what I believe has been a foregone conclusion, winning Rookie of the Year honors,” said Salmon. “While there might have been a few Angel players in the past that were deserving, it’s nice to see the organization finally add another name to the list.
“Watching Mike play this year from the booth, I am convinced he is one of the most exciting players to have ever worn an Angel uniform. The sky's the limit with this guy and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for him and the Angels organization." Following his call up on April 28, Trout wrapped up the season with a .337 (182/559) average, 129 runs scored, 27 doubles, eight triples, 30 home runs, 83 RBI and 49 stolen bases (54 attempts) in 139 games. He ranked in the American League Top 5 in several offensive categories including, average (2nd), runs scored (1st), stolen bases (1st), slugging percentage (.564, 3rd) and on-base percentage (.399, 3rd).
Originally selected by the Angels in the first round (25th overall) of the 2009 draft, Trout led all rookies in nearly every offensive category in 2012, including average, runs, doubles, triples, home runs, RBI, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, stolen bases and walks. Additionally, he joins Ted Williams, Mel Ott and Alex Rodriguez as the only players to hit .320 or above with 30+ home runs during their 20-year-old seasons.
A native of Millville, N.J., he becomes the fourth A.L. player since 1994 born in the Garden State to win the award, joining Andrew Bailey (2009), Derek Jeter (1996) and Bob Hamelin (1994). Trout was selected to his first All-Star team after posting a league leading .341 (88/258) batting average in the first half. He became the first rookie to hold the league’s batting lead at the break since 1960.
In becoming the youngest A.L. Rookie of the Year, Trout surpasses Detroit’s Lou Whitaker, who won the honors in 1978 at 21 years, 143 days old. The youngest Rookie of the Year on the National League side is Dwight Gooden who won the award in 1984 with the New York Mets at 19 years, 320 days old.
Winning American League Rookie of the Month honors in May, June, July and August, Trout became the first player to claim the award in four consecutive months. He broke or tied multiple Angels rookie records and was the first rookie in Major League history to record 30 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single season.
The Rookie of the Year Award has been presented annually since 1947 and subsequently had its name changed to the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award in 1987, 40 years after Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier.
TRACKING TROUT’S AWARDS
American League Rookie of the Year
Louisville Silver Slugger Award Winner
A.L. Outstanding Rookie – Players Choice Awards
Wilson A.L. Defensive Player of the Year
Baseball America Player of the Year
Baseball America Rookie of the Year
Sporting News A.L. Rookie of the Year
Angels Team MVP
American League All-Star
American League Player of the Month – July
American League Rookie of the Month – May, June, July & August
Co-American League Player of the Week – Period ending June 10
MLBPAA Recipient of Heart & Hustle Award
