NewsYoung Marlins duo up for TYIB Awards
Fans can make Hanley Hitter of Year, Coghlan top rookie
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
11/25/09 5:00 PM EST
MIAMI -- Besides being teammates, Hanley Ramirez and Chris Coghlan share the distinction of both being named the National League Rookie of Year by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.They are two of the most popular Marlins and major reasons why the organization is viewed as having a bright future.
The two also are Florida's nominees for the This Year in Baseball Awards.
Voting is under way on MLB.com for the 2009 This Year in Baseball Awards. For the eighth consecutive year, fans are deciding the top hitters, pitchers and moments from the season. Winners will be presented trophies during on-field ceremonies in 2010.
The ballot boxes will close at 7:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 11. In 2008, a record 12 million votes were cast for the TYIB Awards, and that figure could be surpassed this time around as fans weigh in on the year's top hitter, pitcher, moments and more. The results of the voting will be revealed during the week of Dec. 14-18.
Coghlan is nominated in the Rookie of the Year category, where he is expected to receive strong competition from Phillies left-hander J.A. Happ and Braves right-hander Tommy Hanson.
Ramirez is in the Hitter of the Year category, joining an impressive field that includes St. Louis' Albert Pujols, Minnesota's Joe Mauer, Detroit's Miguel Cabrera, Philadelphia's Ryan Howard and Derek Jeter of the World Series champion Yankees.
There are 10 candidates in each category, including choices from both the National and American Leagues.
Coghlan, 24, recently became the third player in Marlins history to be named Rookie of the Year by the BBWAA. The left-handed-hitting left fielder paced all rookies with a .321 batting average, which was sixth best overall in the NL.
After the All-Star break, Coghlan posted the most hits (113) and best batting average (.372) of any player in either league. From Aug. 1, he was even more impressive, hitting at a .388 clip.
A compensatory first-round pick in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft, Coghlan became the eighth MLB rookie in the past 50 years to hit .321 or better. He also is the first Florida rookie to finish with a .300 batting average.
The Marlins promoted Coghlan from Triple-A New Orleans on May 8, and he became a fixture in the lineup, solidifying the leadoff spot. An infielder throughout his college and Minor League careers, Coghlan was converted to left field out of necessity.
Wanting to get his bat in the lineup, Coghlan was promoted to the big leagues with just one game in left field at the Minor League level.
Changing positions didn't hurt his hitting. Coghlan's on-base percentage was .390, and he scored 84 runs.
Ramirez, meanwhile, is a two-time All-Star. The 25-year-old shortstop became the first player in Marlins history to win a batting title, setting a franchise record with his .342 average.
The NL Rookie of the Year in 2006, Ramirez keeps building on his elite status.
He is the first NL shortstop to win the batting title since Dick Groat of the Pirates in 1960. Switched from leadoff to the three-spot in the lineup, Ramirez posted a career-high 106 RBIs, and he stole 27 bases.
Recently, Ramirez secured his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award for NL shortstops.
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
