McHugh, Springer finish in Top 10 of AL Rookie of the Year voting
Become first Astros players to receive Rookie of the Year votes since 2007
HOUSTON, TX - The Baseball Writers Association of America announced the results for the American League Rookie of the Year Award today, and both RHP Collin McHugh and OF George Springer finished in the top 10. McHugh finished fourth in the voting with 21 total points, while Springer finished tied for eighth with one point. Jose Abreu of the White Sox received 150 total points to take home the award.
The vote was comprised of 30 total ballots, as each of the 15 American League teams were represented by two writers. Players received five points for a first place vote, three points for a second place vote and one point for a third place vote.
McHugh received six second place votes and three third place votes. The right-handed starter had a breakout 2014 season in which he went 11-9 and led all Major League rookies with a 2.73 ERA (min. 150IP). The 2014 AL September Rookie of the Month was also named the Astros Rookie of the Year by the Houston Chapter of the BBWAA. In addition to being one of the AL's top rookies in 2014, McHugh was also among the overall league leaders in ERA (6th), opponents' average (4th, .208) and strikeouts per 9.0 innings (7th, 9.14) (min. 150IP). His ERA was the second-lowest ever produced by a rookie in club history, while his 157 strikeouts were the third-most ever recorded by an Astros rookie in a single season.
Springer received one third place vote. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut in 2014 and hit 20 home runs, which ranked second among all Major League rookies and marked the second-most ever hit by a rookie in club history. Springer, who was named the AL Rookie of the Month for May, set franchise rookie records for home runs (19) and RBI (50) prior to the All-Star Break, and ranked in the top 10 among all Major League rookies in RBI, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and walks.
Prior to McHugh and Springer, the last Astros player to receive votes for a Rookie of the Year Award was OF Hunter Pence in 2007, who finished third with 15 total points. The last time the Astros had two players receive Rookie of the Year Award votes was in 2003, when RHP Brad Lidge and LHP Jeriome Robertson finished tied for fifth and seventh, respectively.
1B Jeff Bagwell is the only player in club history to win a Rookie of the Year Award. Bagwell received the honor in 1991, winning the National League Rookie of the Year Award after hitting .294 with 15 homers and 82 RBI in 156 games with Houston.