Gomez, Lohse unanimously awarded clubs' top honors
MILWAUKEE -- Carlos Gomez and Kyle Lohse were unanimous picks for the Brewers' Most Valuable Player and Pitcher in 2013, as announced by the ballclub on Tuesday after a vote of the eight members of the Milwaukee chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.
Gomez and Lohse each received all eight first-place votes in a system that assigned five points for first place, three for second and one for third.
Gomez beat Brewers shortstop Jean Segura (18 points), catcher Jonathan Lucroy (13) and Lohse (1) following a breakthrough season that began with him signing a three-year contract extension in Spring Training. Gomez made the National League All-Star team for the first time and batted .284 with 24 home runs, 73 RBIs and 40 stolen bases in 147 games -- the first player in Brewers history and the only player in the Majors this season to top 20 home runs and 40 steals.
Gomez was among the NL leaders in triples (tied for second with 10), stolen bases (fourth), slugging percentage (seventh, .506) and extra-base hits (tied for eighth, 61). He recorded 12 assists in center field, which ranked second in the Major Leagues from that position.
Lohse was voted Brewers Most Valuable Pitcher over closer Jim Henderson (24 points), setup man Brandon Kintzler (7) and starter Yovani Gallardo (1). Lohse, who signed with the Brewers as a free agent on March 25, went 11-10 with a 3.35 ERA in 32 starts during his first season in Milwaukee, leading the team in ERA, innings pitched (198 2/3) and quality starts (20). He ranked fifth in the NL in fewest walks per nine innings (1.6) and was especially solid down the stretch, going 10-4 with a 2.91 ERA over his last 22 starts, including 16 quality starts.
Lohse was also voted Brewers Top Newcomer, receiving seven first-place votes and one second-place vote for 38 total points. He was followed by second baseman Scooter Gennett, who garnered 26 points and the other first place vote, and outfielder Khris Davis (seven points). Pitcher Tyler Thornburg appeared on one ballot in third place.
The Brewers' "Unsung Hero" was outfielder Norichika Aoki (34 points), receiving five first-place votes and three second-place votes in that category to edge Kintzler (27 points, including three first-place votes). A total of eight players were listed on ballots for that award.
Aoki batted .286 with eight homers, 37 RBIs and 20 stolen bases in 155 games. He ranked among the NL leaders in multihit games (tied for seventh with 50) and hits (tied for 10th with 171). He led the team in games, at-bats (597), on-base percentage (.356) and walks (55) while tying Gomez for the team lead in runs scored (80). Aoki struck out just 40 times in 674 plate appearances this season, the best ratio in the Major Leagues (16.9).
Catcher Jonathan Lucroy (33 points) earned the Good Guy Award, receiving six first-place votes and one second place vote. The other first-place votes went to Gomez, who finished second with 18 points, and Segura. A total of nine players were listed on ballots for this honor, the most of any award.