(David Ryder/The New York Times)
At 6:51 pm ET, Kyle Lewis was announced as the American League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year. Winning the award unanimously with all 30 1st place votes from the Baseball Writers Association of America.
As most players do, Kyle Lewis thanked all of his supporters. As well as thanking the Mariners staff for how far he has come as a player.
Lewis was the 11th overall pick in the 2016 MLB draft and won the Golden Spikes Award that year as the country’s best amateur player.
Lewis hit .262 with a .364 OBP, 11 home runs, 28 RBI, and five steals in 58 games, becoming the first Seattle player to win the honor since Ichiro Suzuki in 2001.
Lewis is the fourth Mariner to win Rookie of the Year, joining Suzuki, Kazuhiro Sasaki (2000) and Alvin Davis (1984).
The 25-year-old entered 2020 with high expectations after hitting six homers in 18 games in his September 2019 debut. Lewis got off to a flying start, batting .373 with a 1.031 OPS in his first 28 games but struggled in the second half of the shortened season, batting just .147 in September.
Lewis led all rookies in home runs (tied with Robert), runs (37), and walks (34).
Although the Seattle Mariners did not make the playoffs this season, they were led Kyle Lewis to a final record of 27-33 this season, finishing third in the AL West Division. Lewis could soon be joined in the Mariners outfield by MLB.com’s No. 9 overall prospect Jarred Kelenic, as well as the No. 15 prospect Julio Rodriguez and the No. 51 prospect Taylor Tramell.
But, Congratulations to Lewis and the National League winner (Brewers reliever) Devin Williams.
