Vidal Nuno Wins 2013 James P. Dawson Award

The New York Yankees today announced that left-handed pitcher Vidal Nuno is the recipient of the 2013 James P. Dawson Award, given annually to the outstanding Yankees rookie in spring training. Nuno received the award in a pre-game ceremony today, prior to the Yankees' 1:05 p.m. game vs. the Pirates at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Nuno, 25, went 1-1 with one save and a 0.61 ERA (14.2IP, 1ER) in seven appearances (two starts) this spring (10H, 1R, 4BB, 13K). In 2012, he went 10-6 with a 2.54 ERA (138.1IP, 39ER) in 31 appearances (21 starts) with the Single-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton, leading all Yankees farmhands in ERA and strikeouts and tying for third in wins. A California native, he attended Baker University in Kansas and was signed by the Yankees as a Minor League free agent on June 18, 2011. Nuno was originally selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 48th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.

The award was established in honor of James P. Dawson (1896-1953), who began a 45-year career with The New York Times as a copy boy in 1908. Eight years later, he became boxing editor and covered boxing and baseball until his death during spring training in 1953.

Two winners of the honor, Tony Kubek in 1957 and Tom Tresh in 1962, went on to win the American League "Rookie of the Year" Award. The award first was presented to rookie Norm Siebern by Manager Casey Stengel in St. Petersburg, Fla., at the conclusion of spring training in 1956. New York Yankees beat writers vote on the winner.

In conjunction with the award, Nuno received an Elysee watch from Manfredi Jewels.