Jose Abreu named American League Rookie of the Year

CHICAGO - Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu has been named the Jackie Robinson American League Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) after receiving 150 points. Abreu earned the honor over the Los Angeles Angels' Matt Shoemaker (40 points) and the New York Yankees' Dellin Betances (27 points). He received all 30 first-place votes, making him the ninth unanimous winner in the history of the award.

  Abreu, 27, is the sixth White Sox to win the BBWAA Rookie of the Year honor, joining Ozzie Guillen (1985), Ron Kittle (1983), Tommie Agee (1966), Gary Peters (1963) and Luis Aparicio (1956). The honor is the fourth for Abreu this offseason after being named the Sporting News AL Rookie of the Year, Players Choice AL Outstanding Rookie and an AL Silver Slugger.

  "I want to congratulate Jose on this prestigious award and his spectacular rookie season," said Rick Hahn, White Sox senior vice president/general manager. "From the day Jose joined the White Sox, we were optimistic that he would develop into an integral part of our success and a centerpiece in our lineup for years to come. The speed in which he was able to deliver on his promise is truly remarkable, as his performance this season left no doubt he is among the premiere hitters in all of baseball. I join all White Sox fans in being extremely excited to see what the future holds for Jose as he continues to improve and develop as one of the cornerstones of our team."

  Abreu is the first Cuban native to win the Rookie of the Year award with the White Sox and the fourth in baseball history, joining Miami's Jose Fernandez (2013), Oakland's Jose Canseco (1986) and Minnesota's Tony Oliva (1964). Former Sox outfielder Minnie Minoso earned the Sporting News rookie honor in 1951.

Abreu batted .317 (176-556) with 35 doubles, 36 home runs, 107 RBI, a .581 slugging percentage and a .383 on-base percentage in 145 games this season. He led the major leagues in slugging percentage, joining Dick Allen (1974) as the only players in White Sox history to accomplish that feat, and ranked among the AL leaders in OPS (2nd, .964), total bases (2nd, 323), home runs (T3rd), RBI (4th), extra-base hits (4th, 73), average (5th), OBP (5th) and doubles (T10th).

Abreu also became the first rookie in baseball history to rank among the Top 5 in his league in each Triple Crown category and joined Hal Trosky (1934), Ted Williams (1939) and Albert Pujols (2001) as the only rookie in history to record 30 doubles, 30 homers and 100 RBI in a season.

His 36 home runs set a franchise rookie record, breaking the mark of 35 set by Ron Kittle in 1983, and are the sixth-most in major-league history by a rookie. Abreu's 107 RBI were the third-highest total by a White Sox rookie, trailing only Smead Jolley (114 in 1930) and Zeke Bonura (110 in 1934).

Abreu was named to the AL All-Star Team, the fifth White Sox rookie to accomplish that feat and first since Kittle in 1983, was named AL Player of the Month in April and July and AL Rookie of the Month in April, June and July. He is the first White Sox to be honored by the BBWAA since Ozzie Guillen was named AL Manager of the Year in 2005.