Marlins' Chris Coghlan Wins National League Rookie of the Year Award

NL Rookie of the Year winner: Chris Coghlan

At least I got the team right.

According to ESPN.com, Florida Marlins left fielder Chris Coghlan has been voted National League Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

Coghlan received 17 first-place votes and 105 points overall. Philadelphia Phillies’ pitcher JA Happ finished second with 94 votes.

Coghlan led all National League rookies in average with .321, hits with 162, doubles with 31, OBP with .390, and finished second in OPS with .850.

Coghlan used a torrid second half to win this award. In the second half of the season, Coghlan led all of baseball in hits with 113 and hit a ridiculous .372.

I have no problem with Coghlan winning this award. Was Coghlan’s defense great in left field? No, it wasn’t at all. Could a compelling case be made for Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen? Absolutely.

But these awards are 90 percent based on offense. And offensively, Coghlan had the best year. If I had a vote, I would have voted for Coghlan, too.

Coghlan becomes the third Marlin to win this award. Hanley Ramirez won the award in 2006 and Dontrelle Willis won in 2003.

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