Sporting News gives deGrom top rookie honors
Mets right-hander voted best in NL after standout year
Mets standout Jacob deGrom has been named the National League Rookie of the Year by Sporting News magazine, with the hope of adding the BBWAA's award to his mantel in the coming weeks.
deGrom's contributions this season were unexpected if not invaluable. The right-hander had an ERA of 4.80 in Double-A and 4.52 in Triple-A last year before bursting onto the scene in 2014 to go 9-6 with a 2.69 ERA over 22 starts with the Mets.
deGrom threw 140 1/3 innings, surrendering 117 hits and just seven home runs all season. He struck out 144 and walked 43, fanning 9.2 batters per nine innings.
"I'm very honored to receive this prestigious award," deGrom told Sporting News. "My teammates were a huge reason for my success. Individual honors are nice, but what excites me the most is looking forward to next year and helping the Mets reach the postseason."
The Mets starter, with 31 votes, narrowly beat out Cincinnati's Billy Hamilton (27 votes) for the award. The Cardinals' Kolten Wong had nine votes, the Giants' Joe Panik had five and the D-backs' Ender Inciarte had four.
deGrom joins Jerry Koosman (1968), Jon Matlack ('72), Darryl Strawberry ('83) and Dwight Gooden ('84) as other Mets to receive the Sporting News Rookie of the Year award.