White Sox' Abreu Named Sporting News Rookie Of The Year

By Chuck Sudo in News on Oct 20, 2014 9:40PM

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu won Sporting News Rookie of the Year honors Monday after a debut season that saw him become one of the bright spots of a terrible Sox season and what may be the beginning of a slew of postseason honors.

The 27-year-old Cuban earned 149 of a possible 160 votes to run away with the award. Abreu hit a team-high and rookie record 36 home runs, which were also good for third-best in the American League. He hit .317 at the plate and added 107 RBIs, the latter total good for fourth-best in the league. Abreu had 73 extra-base hits (also fourth-highest in the AL), had a .383 on-base percentage, was second in the American League with a .964 OPS and second in total bases with 323 and led the majors with a .581 slugging percentage. Abreu's six-year, $68 million deal was the richest ever for an international free agent and his performance made it seem as though Sox GM Rick Hahn signed Abreu at a bargain rate.

[ESPN]