Humble Abreu earns players' vote as top rookie

He led the major leagues with a .581 slugging percentage. He finished second in the American League with a .964 OPS (On-base Plus Slugging percentage) and 323 total bases, third with 36 home runs, fourth with 107 RBI and fifth with a .317 batting average.

Do the math, and it's no surprise White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu was named the Sporting News AL Rookie of the Year on Monday.

Voted on by his fellow major-league players, Abreu won in a landslide. The 27-year-old Cuban slugger received 149 votes, with the Angels' Matt Shoemaker (4 votes) second and the Yankees' Dellin Betances and Masahiro Tanaka tied for third (3). Sox infielder Marcus Semien was fourth with 1 vote.

"For me, it means a lot that the players who play against me recognize my efforts and my numbers," Abreu said through an interpreter. "I am thankful for all of them to give me support. I don't have words to describe what I'm feeling right now."

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

"When spring training started, I just wanted to be 100 percent for the season and be able to help the team win games," said Abreu, who was slowed by a left ankle injury throughout his first year with the White Sox. "When the season was finished and I had the opportunity to check my numbers, I felt very comfortable. Now, I'll prepare for whatever is in the future. I'm very humble for all the accomplishments I had this year."

Abreu is also positioned to easily win the AL Rookie of the Year award voted on by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Those results will be announced Nov. 10.

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