Kimbrel wins NL Rookie of Year, Freeman runner-up
Braves closer Craig Kimbrel shattered the major league rookie record for saves in 2011, and on Monday he and Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman accomplished something no rookie teammates had done in more than two decades.
Kimbrel was a unanimous winner of the National League Rookie of the Year award from the Baseball Writers Association of America, and Freeman was the runner-up. Philadelphia pitcher Vance Worley finished third.
The Braves became the first team with the top two finishers in National or American League rookie of the year balloting since 1989, when the Chicago Cubs’ Jerome Walton and Dwight Smith finished first and second in the NL.
“It’s an award you only get one chance to win and I’m honored to have that privilege,” said Kimbrel, 23, who got all 32 first-place votes and 160 total points to become the 10th unanimous selection and first since Albert Pujols in 2001.
He’s the fifth Atlanta rookie to win the BBWAA award and first since Rafael Furcal in 2000.
“It definitely surprised me, that unanimous decision,” said Kimbrel, who got a phone call with the news early Monday while he and his fiancee were having coffee on the balcony of their hotel room on Maui, where they will attend Braves reliever Peter Moylan’s wedding Wednesday.
“I expected my teammate Freddie … for it to be close. I’m surprised by that [unanimous vote]. I looked at it and it was definitely a ‘wow.’”
The Alabama native tied for the league lead with 46 saves — six more than the previous rookie record — and led major league relievers in strikeouts with 127 in 77 innings.
Tampa Bay pitcher Jeremy Hellickson won the AL rookie award over Angels first baseman Mark Trumbo.
Five points were awarded for first-place votes, three for second-place votes and one for third-place votes. Freeman got 21 second-place votes and seven third-place votes for 70 points; Worley totaled 40 points on eight second-place votes and 16 third-place votes.
No other NL rookie was named on more than four ballots. Washington catcher Wilson Ramos was fourth with six points, followed by Arizona pitcher Josh Collmenter with five points and Washington second baseman Danny Espinosa with three points. The Cubs’ Darwin Barney and the Dodgers’ Kenley Jansen received two third-place votes apiece to tie for seventh.
Freeman led NL qualifying rookies in average (.282), on-base percentage (.346) and slugging percentage (.448) while leading the league’s rookies in doubles (32) and RBIs (76) and tying Espinosa for the home run lead (21). He also played exceptional defense.
The Braves had a top-three-rookie finisher each year from 2008 through 2010. But until Monday the only time they had two top-five finishers was 1954, when the Milwaukee Braves’ Gene Conley placed third and Hank Aaron was fourth.
David Justice (1990), Bob Horner (1978) and Earl Williams (1971) won NL rookie honors as Atlanta Braves, and Sam Jethroe (1950) and Alvin Dark (1948) won as Boston Braves.
Braves right fielder Jason Heyward was the 2010 runner-up to San Francisco catcher Buster Posey. Heyward had nine first-place votes and 107 points to Posey’s 20 first-place votes and 129 points.
Cincinnati had three of the top five finishers in the 2009 rookie balloting and Florida had three of the top four in ‘06, but neither team had the winner and runner-up.
In 2009, Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson was third behind Florida winner Chris Coghlan and Philadelphia runner-up J.A. Happ. Only 11 points separated Coghlan and Happ.
Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens was third in 2008, behind Chicago Cubs winner Geovany Soto and Cincinnati’s Joey Votto.
Kimbrel went 4-3 with a 2.10 ERA in 79 appearances. He converted 25 consecutive saves during a streak of 38 scoreless appearances from June 14 to Sept. 8, a stretch of 37-2/3 innings that was the majors’ longest scoreless streak in 2011.
He led all major league closers in both innings and appearances – no other closer had more than 75 appearances – and showed signs of fatigue in the final weeks of the season.
Kimbrel blew three of six save opportunities after Sept. 8 including one in the season-ending 13-inning loss against the Phillies, which kept the Braves from playing St. Louis in a one-game tiebreaker for the wild card.
“Having a short memory definitely is an aspect you have to have as a closer,” Kimbrel said. “I’m going to get over it but I’m not going to forget it. I’m going to remember what I did wrong and try to fix it. That’s how I look at it.”
The Braves lost 18 of their final 26 games and blew what had been an 8-1/2-game wild-card lead over St. Louis on Sept. 5.
“He had an unreal year,” said Braves reliever Jonny Venters, the only major league pitcher with more appearances (85) than Kimbrel in 2011. “To have it finish like that — I felt bad for him. He’s such a great kid. He’s got an unbelievable future ahead of him.
“Doesn’t change anything he did all year. We started to struggle at the same time.”
Kimbrel said winning the award would take any of the sting from how the season ended.
“I’s really nice to have this honor, but it’s not going to take away what happened at the end of the year,” he said. “… I do understand that I did have a good year numbers-wise, but there’s a lot of room for improvement. There are ways to help my team do better. That’s what I’m expecting out of myself, to do better going into next year.”
After the season-ending loss, Braves pitcher Tim Hudson said of Kimbrel: “He’s unbelievable. Great teammate, great kid, works hard. He just had one night where it didn’t fall in place for him, and it just happened to be the last game of the season.”
After the season-ending loss Kimbrel heard right away from retired closer Billy Wagner, who served as a mentor for Kimbrel during the 2010 season when Wagner pitched for the Braves.
“He was one of the first persons to text me,” Kimbrel said, “just to let me know he was proud he was of me, of how I handled myself during the year, and not to let it get me down. He said to let a situation like this make you a better pitcher and a better person. Don’t dwell on what happened, just think of what you did wrong and how to fix it.
“Don’t let the situation make you a worse player, have it make you a better player. I was definitely appreciative of him being there.”
Voting for BBWAA awards is solely based on regular-season performance; votes must be cast before the postseason begins.
The AL Cy Young will be announced on Tuesday, followed by AL and NL manager awards on Wednesday, and the NL Cy Young on Thursday. The AL MVP will be named on Nov. 21 and the NL MVP on Nov. 22.
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173 comments Add your comment
Jim
November 14th, 2011
2:13 pm
Way to go Kimbrel! Lee High School boy makes good. Looking forward to seeing him close next year. Go Braves!
gatorsc1
November 14th, 2011
2:14 pm
awesome well done Craig
Chuck
November 14th, 2011
2:16 pm
A tip of the hat to Craig for a great first year! The Braves are in good hands (I mean arms) moving forward. Every time I saw the ball “fall off the table” and big time stars look bad, I was so glad that it wasn’t me. Kudos the Freddie for a great rookie campaign as well. As we always like to say, “wait until next year!”
wjones
November 14th, 2011
2:17 pm
No votes for Beachy.
swhite
November 14th, 2011
2:19 pm
4th!!!!
Jake
November 14th, 2011
2:23 pm
Since when did Freeman play exceptional defense? Did this guy even watch the games?
Loki
November 14th, 2011
2:23 pm
I hope Craig does not have to make as many appearances next year; he was completely gassed at the end of the season. Congrats, kid!
swhite
November 14th, 2011
2:24 pm
I was afraid Kimbrel and Freeman would split the vote. Glad one of them got it!
Josh
November 14th, 2011
2:27 pm
Jake, are you serious? Freeman is capable of some awesome glove work. Dude can pick it. I’m not sure where you’re getting the idea that he’s a poor defensive player.
ATL Fan
November 14th, 2011
2:30 pm
Congrats Craig Kimbrel. Pretty good company with Pujols.
Chris
November 14th, 2011
2:30 pm
Freeman played absolutly great defense all year. No question he is in the top tier of defensive first baseman in the game today.
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy jacks bbq
November 14th, 2011
2:32 pm
fine, congrats, now find us a bat and some cheaper beer
Jake?
November 14th, 2011
2:32 pm
Jake? You’re an idiot. “This guy” watches (and attends) every game. Freeman was outstanding with the glove all year long.
Jake
November 14th, 2011
2:32 pm
Chris evidently doesn’t believe defensive range matters at all. Go back and watch how many balls got through because Freeman struggles to go to his right. Amazing how such a dumb narrative exists.
Hank
November 14th, 2011
2:32 pm
I must be an old fuddy duddy but I believe the Rookie Award should be for an everyday player. Kimbrel is a beast and played nearly everyday but, I think Freeman should have got it.
GOMETS
November 14th, 2011
2:33 pm
awards are stupid.
Bobby's Chauffeur
November 14th, 2011
2:33 pm
Jake
November 14th, 2011
2:23 pm
Since when did Freeman play exceptional defense? Did this guy even watch the games?
———————————————————————————————-
I would asking that question to you… Freddie dug so many balls out of the ground on all sides of first base. He was teriffic. He was like a vacuum.
Mark
November 14th, 2011
2:35 pm
Jake…http://ajc.stats.com/mlb/playerstats.asp?id=8658&page=fielding
Watch how many balls got through? I watched a ton a games, and don’t remember thinking anything about him not getting to balls. How about watch how many outs he earned at FB with his glove, and how balls didn’t get past him there. That boy made outs happen when most guys would have been handcuffed by the throw.
Jake
November 14th, 2011
2:35 pm
Range >>>>> Scoops, Bobby’s Chauffeur. Scoops hardly matter.
Jake = Moron
November 14th, 2011
2:37 pm
dude you can’t be serious. He scooped so many balls at first. You’re probably jealous that even though you try, you can’t scoop balls like him!
tulsabravo
November 14th, 2011
2:37 pm
Just a great achievement. Here’s hoping that you have a better team to pitch for next year Craig.
Obee
November 14th, 2011
2:38 pm
No laptop for lunch for you, DOB.
Jake
November 14th, 2011
2:38 pm
Again Scoops only save a few runs per year. Having the proper range to get to balls and turn hits into outs is what makes exceptional defense. Freeman provided average defense. Look at Joey Votto if you want to see good 1b defense.
Bill
November 14th, 2011
2:38 pm
Congrats to THE MAN..KIMBREL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Freeman was great on D…he saved many would have been errors with his glove work…
Jake
November 14th, 2011
2:40 pm
So many people bamboozled by a false Fredi -narrative. Freeman was average at best at first. Use your brains, don’t fall for the foolish Fredi propaganda.
springhillbravesfan
November 14th, 2011
2:41 pm
OK Jake, you have no clue what you are talking about. “Scoops hardly matter” huh? I played 1st base for many years and yes scoops matter, it records outs and helps your infielders look better because they will make plays that are not normal easy plays. ANDscooping balls out of the dirt is not easy, it is an artform.
Bill
November 14th, 2011
2:41 pm
Jake u have tunnel vision..get some glasses. joey was good but not better at fielding than FF.
home&home
November 14th, 2011
2:43 pm
Really? Seriously? I know, right? I’m sayin’…
DCBrave
November 14th, 2011
2:43 pm
Jake,
Did you even watch the games?
Jake
November 14th, 2011
2:45 pm
Better than most Brave fans evidently. Again its been proven Range saves many more runs over a full season than scoops. The age of smarter baseball fans is upon us. Lets not be a fanbase stuck in the past.
Peter
November 14th, 2011
2:46 pm
Jake is clueless period…… for a Freeman to come in and solidify the position, and produce with the bat as well was wonderful.
phil
November 14th, 2011
2:47 pm
So the guy who couldn’t get a meaningful out in the biggest games of the last 2 seasons is named Rookie of the Year….
That makes up for it.
Sure, I’m proud of him and happy for him but GET SOMEONE OUT IN THE CLUTCH IN 2012, WILL YA?
phil
November 14th, 2011
2:49 pm
FF has a terrific glove at first. Any idiot can see that.
Jake, you’re not an idiot.
Jake
November 14th, 2011
2:49 pm
Peter can’t read evidently. I didn’t say Freeman wasn’t good. I said it was clear he didn’t provide exceptional defense. Freeman clearly exceeded expectations last year with the bat, but we need to be educated on his strengths and weakness. His defensive range was a liability. Anyone who thinks he was exceptional on defense doesn’t know how to properly evaluate baseball defense.
MoreIsLess
November 14th, 2011
2:52 pm
Congratulations, now, how long before they trade him for a couple of minor league players.
phil
November 14th, 2011
2:52 pm
In my not proper evaluation of FF’s work at first last season, he was pretty damn good.
Jake
November 14th, 2011
2:56 pm
Then you don’t understand how much defensive range matters, Phil.
Bill
November 14th, 2011
2:58 pm
Jake is not smarter than a 5th grader.
Hi I'm Jake and I'm a Damn Idiot
November 14th, 2011
3:01 pm
No range????And picks don’t matter, now that’s a true blue baseball fan for ya there. He obviously knows the game. I would kick his ass if I had to watch a game with him and listen to that crap.
bobby c
November 14th, 2011
3:01 pm
Big UPS to Kimbrel now whats the latest on trading Prado and J.J?
Kimbrell named NL Rookie of the Year, no votes for Dillon Gee Metszilla
November 14th, 2011
3:02 pm
[...] Kimbrel was the unanimous selection for first and the rest of the votes were spread out as such, according to Dave O’Brien of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution: The 23-year-old Alabama native received all 32 first-place votes and 160 total points to become [...]
Really?
November 14th, 2011
3:02 pm
Compare The almighty Votto’s stats when he was 21 to Freddie’s. What?…. You can’t? That’s right….. he wasn’t a full time starter until he was 25. Compare 21 year old Freddie with the 25 year old Votto. Freddie beats him in nearly every catagory defensively.
wjones
November 14th, 2011
3:05 pm
“Jake
November 14th, 2011
2:49 pm
Peter can’t read evidently. I didn’t say Freeman wasn’t good. I said it was clear he didn’t provide exceptional defense. Freeman clearly exceeded expectations last year with the bat, but we need to be educated on his strengths and weakness. His defensive range was a liability. Anyone who thinks he was exceptional on defense doesn’t know how to properly evaluate baseball defense.”
Range is indeed important at first base—how much more important than hands is debatable. The ability to field throws cannot be overstated, and the ability to proficiently/statistically gauge 1B defense isn’t nearly as sophisticated as most other positions, so beware relying on them. How would you compare is range against the first basemen we have had since Teixeira? He is considered a good first baseman by most, and we haven’t had anyone much to compare to him since he left, save a partial year from Kotchman and another form LaRoche, and both of them would fit into the “limited range/great hands” category. It’s great to have a rangy first basemen, but one can get by without it better than at any other position. However, Freeman’s ability to field throws has saved numerous errors, which translates into saving many baserunners, and preventing said baserunners from getting into scoring position. There is a statistics on that as well, and IIRC correctly FF did extremely well in that category. Oh, and one other thing—can you statistically differentiate between range and positioning? And speaking of positioning, what effect does that have on our numerous young pitchers, who may or may not be proficient at pitching with the defensive positioning? At any rate, to say that FF was a defensive liability–which you did say—is to rely on information that is limited, if not flawed.
jch
November 14th, 2011
3:09 pm
thank God that picture of Mark Cuban is down…
Supes
November 14th, 2011
3:10 pm
Congratulations to Kimbrel and the Braves for having developed a fine major league closer who will be dominant for years to come (if he stays healthy). Glad that Freeman isn’t the forgotten man…he was by far the best position player in this year’s rookie class both offense and defense taking in account.
phil
November 14th, 2011
3:13 pm
Now wait a minute….
Anyone who isn’t Jake/Shaun doesn’t understand how much defensive range matters. That’s a known fact.
That said, I don’t give a rat’s ass. I want to WIN GAMES and WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS, something that we’ve lost sight of over the years with obsession over meaningless awards, who can field a grounder better than a fifth grader and other such stuff.
WIN.
That’s what matters, not Jake’s inability to see beyong his big ole fat nose.
phil
November 14th, 2011
3:15 pm
According to a certain someone, FF stinks.
We must release him now or trade him for a couple of minor leaguers who’ll never amount to anything.
daniel buck
November 14th, 2011
3:15 pm
DOB… Is there any chance at all the O’s would give up Jones for Jurrjens/Prado?
Gary
November 14th, 2011
3:16 pm
“He also played exceptional defense.”
I laughed.
Brownie
November 14th, 2011
3:17 pm
Jake’s sittin’ back right now smilin’, because he’s doing what he always does….takes a contrary position to the popular opinion just to get everyone fired up. Makes for a good blog exchange.
Here’s my opinion…..FF is VERY good defensively, especially for a 21 year old rookie, and deserved the ROY award. His range as the season wore on was somewhat limited on a couple of noteworthy plays, but I’ll write that off to season-long fatigue (never played that many games before). But overall, a great year.
Oh, and if you don’t think scoops at 1st base are important – just watch a 1Bman who doesn’t handle that skill well, and you’ll see someone who ends up as a pinch-hitter. They are EXPECTED to make that play – and FF is about as good as any of them.
@Fredo
November 14th, 2011
3:17 pm
Hey look. DOB is back. Seriously, serious, DOB, thanks. See you in Dec.
GaryinBham
November 14th, 2011
3:18 pm
Braves fans, the ending was bad, but in truth, all that good pitching coming up, the top two rookies in the league, and a great farm system–good times ahead. Congratulations to both Craig and Freddie. Loved watching you both this year.
Jack G
November 14th, 2011
3:18 pm
Suckers—-Jake is pulling your leg. He threw out the bait and you all took it—hook . line and sinker.
Gary
November 14th, 2011
3:18 pm
“He also played defense.”
fixed.
Dblplay
November 14th, 2011
3:21 pm
Jake, last time I watched a game, there are many more balls THROWN to first than are hit anywhere near first. Picking balls out of the dirt is a saved error EVERY time. You save me as a SS and I will make better throws because I am confident in my 1st baseman. Errors are base runners. I understand that he does not have great range, but he is NOT a short stop. His job is to catch a thrown ball from someone else, pick it when it is in the dirt and tag a runner on bad throws. His job is not to dive and knock balls away from the second baseman. Oh, he also possesses one of the best arms on the team. Remember the hose from shallow right on the over his shoulder catch? How many other first basemen could have done that? I’m glad he is on my team.
Spud
November 14th, 2011
3:23 pm
33 years since Bob “Homerun” Horner won it! Where did 1/3 of a century go?
Jake doesn't have a clue
November 14th, 2011
3:24 pm
Jake you must know a thing or two about range because you are so far off base it’s not even funny. As a guy who has coached for 20 years, played in the minor leagues and still talks to major league scouts, I can tell you that FF is viewed in baseball as one of the top 3 1b based on defense in the NL. One scout I spoke with said that he feels FF will win more than a few gold gloves. Range is important and FF grades out at above average in range. Maybe you are basing it on a game you went to in June and he didn’t get over to a ball but for those of us who know and watched him nightly, he is the real deal.
So go back to playing your video game and being bitter because you were cut from your 12 and under team when you were a kid. Also let your mom know you will come up from the basement for dinner when you make it to the next level on Halo or whatever you are playing. As for the assessment of talent, leave it to those that know and stop ridiculing people who don’t have your slanted view.
David O'Brien
November 14th, 2011
3:25 pm
We have a conference call with Kimbrel at 3:30 p.m.
Gary
November 14th, 2011
3:26 pm
Wow, talk about attacking a guy because his opinion (a correct one) differs from the majority.
leftrecursion
November 14th, 2011
3:27 pm
wjones makes a great point about positioning. Derek Jeter had less range than ARod but his positioning was spot on and that is why he is considered a great SS.
Shelby
November 14th, 2011
3:29 pm
SOOOOO proud of Craig and the rest of our boys…its a shame the season ended the way it did…im glad to see that Craig and Freddi were both recognized in the best way possible for their efforts…lets hope next year is even better!!!
and for Jake, your an idiot…it doesnt matter what has been proven to be a better piece of the defense scooping or whatever, the point that EVERYONE has made is simple, Freeman was a beast on first and a beast behind the plate…he made some catches and stops that had me amazed, i cant remember how many times he basically did a full on split to catch the ball. If he was such a poor defensive player you really think he would have been 2nd in voting by the professionals who live and watch baseball all year?? i dont think so…get your head outta your butt and admit that the braves have a great player on first….
NorthGa Brave Fan
November 14th, 2011
3:33 pm
Jake must not have a TV
ryan
November 14th, 2011
3:33 pm
Congrats to Kimbrel he deserves it also Cole Hammels could be on the block do Braves take a chance with Lowe gone looks like JJ going to .
David O'Brien
November 14th, 2011
3:34 pm
Kimbrel’s doing this from Hawaii, where he’s on vacation
Fred Macmurray
November 14th, 2011
3:35 pm
That Freddie Freeman,, he’s a good kid.
Fred Macmurray
November 14th, 2011
3:36 pm
I Dont think the Braves had any gold gloves this year.
jim
November 14th, 2011
3:38 pm
Is Freddy’s lack of range being blamed for the Pujols hit in the BS versus Cards? Would Tex/Pujols/Votto have made that play? That game, more than the blown save vs. Phils cost Braves the playoffs. (Had they won that game, the last game against Phils would no have mattered.)
Old Boy
November 14th, 2011
3:42 pm
Didn’t Furcal win an ROY as well?
phil
November 14th, 2011
3:43 pm
Naturally Kimbrell is on vacation in Hawaii while the rest of us, who don’t choke on our jobs when the going gets important, toil away in obscurity….
Lack of range in RF sure did cost the Rangers a championship, though….a little something to chew on.
Lakedawg
November 14th, 2011
3:47 pm
I think FF snaked Jake’s girlfriend/wife-
jim
November 14th, 2011
3:47 pm
phil,
I’m surprised to hear there are moments on your job that are comparable to getting through the likes of Pujols ande Uttley with the season on the line. I take it you are on the launch team at NASA or a heart’brain surgeon?
Kito
November 14th, 2011
3:49 pm
I would like to take this time to thank the braves for tanking a 8.5 wild card lead so that the Cardinals could make it to the playoffs.
Mitchell
November 14th, 2011
3:50 pm
So that makes it five total ROY candidate dating back to 2008 in the Braves system and one playoff appearance in four seasons.
Classic Braves.
HereComesBream
November 14th, 2011
3:50 pm
Congrats CK!
wjones
November 14th, 2011
3:50 pm
Gary,you’re next, if you insist on taking sides…
Gary
November 14th, 2011
3:53 pm
Phil,
That’s because you have no discerable talent.
Mitchell
November 14th, 2011
3:54 pm
How about Dan Uggla for biggest tool of 2011?
Or would that go to Frank Wren? Or Fredi Gonzalez?
What about a Bronze Glove for Chipper’s brilliant defensive performance at third base in the 9th inning at Sun Life Stadium against the Marlins?
Gary
November 14th, 2011
3:55 pm
I like Freeman, but to say he’s played exceptional defense is going a bit too far. If that’s taking sides, then so be it.
David O'Brien
November 14th, 2011
3:55 pm
Kimbrel’s out in Hawaii for Moylans’ wedding.
Kimbrel on being unanimous selection: “It definitely did surprise me. I expected my teammate Freddie… for it to be close. I am surprised.”
On late blown saves: “I’m gonna get over it but I’m not going to forget it. I’m going to remember what I did wrong and try to fix it.”
On hearing from Billy Wagner after the blown saves in season finale: He was one of the first persons to text me, just to let me know he was proud of me he was, of how I handled myself on the year, and not to let it get me down. He said to let a situation like this make you a better pitcher and a better person. Don’t dwell on what happened, just think of what you did wrong and how to fix it. Don’t let the situation make you a worse player, have it make you a better player. I was definitely appreciative of him being there.”
Mitchell
November 14th, 2011
3:57 pm
He’s at soon to be former Brave Peter Moylan’s wedding, or so I heard on the radio.
Is the kid allowed to attend a wedding, phil?
For the love of God, let the boy go to the wedding.
Heisenberg
November 14th, 2011
3:57 pm
Jake sounds a lot like Shawn. Either the same person or separated at birth.
Mitchell
November 14th, 2011
3:59 pm
The only reason he blew those saves was because the Braves left the bases loaded every inning for the month of September.
IHEARTCARROLL
November 14th, 2011
4:00 pm
If he’s vacationing in Hawaii, I hope he is careful around palm fronds. We all remember what happened to Diaz.
Heisenberg
November 14th, 2011
4:00 pm
I would bet Kinbrel gets over his blown save before Neftali Perez gets over his.
NickB
November 14th, 2011
4:05 pm
Hold on fellas, let a saber guy show Jake that he’s incorrect about Freeman;s defensive abilities at 1b:
A) defensive metrics are notoriously hard to judge at 1b and C because of the impact of other players (pitches,throws…etc) into the equation. So let’s clarify that right off the bat.
B)UZR DOES list Freddy as 22nd among all 1b who logged at least 800 innings there. which appears that he’s bad, but range is a much lower importance at 1b than it is say at SS or the OF
C)Freeman was 12th in DRS (defensive runs saved) 4th best at making plays out of his zone (OOZ) , and 2nd in Scoops. He’s at worst a top half defender at 1b and probably a top ten when you combine all the metrics together. UZR isn’t everything. You have to look at the total picture
BigTimeTECHFan
November 14th, 2011
4:07 pm
Nice,
How did Hayward finish in MVP votes?
Mitchell
November 14th, 2011
4:08 pm
The Braves became the first team with the top two finishers in National or American League rookie of the year balloting since 1989, when the Chicago Cubs’ Jerome Walton and Dwight Smith finished first and second in the NL.
Even the Cubs made the playoffs.
Of course, they had ROY Geovani Soto in 2008 and won 97 games.
You would think a team with the ROY winner and runner up on the same team would not squander such an abundance of young talent, but the Braves aren’t just any old team.
They know how to sqaunder talent.
Not to mention Beachy, Minor, Delgado, Teheran, etc.
BBrown
November 14th, 2011
4:08 pm
Gotta believe that the time spent under Billy Wagner as a mentor was valuable in a huge way. Much thanks Billy and Congrats Craig!!
Mitchell
November 14th, 2011
4:10 pm
IHEARTCARROLL
November 14th, 2011
4:00 pm
If he’s vacationing in Hawaii, I hope he is careful around palm fronds. We all remember what happened to Diaz.
Good call. Except no one missed Matt Diaz.
Was he really on the team this year? Did I dream that?
Fols
November 14th, 2011
4:11 pm
Billy Wagner was such a great influence on this kid, it feels as though he was a long time Brave yet he was here for such a short period. Great veteran combo for our young guys.
Glad I travelled across the country to see Kimbrel pitch……lights out as usual!
NickB
November 14th, 2011
4:17 pm
Just to emphasize, let us look at how these same stats (UZR,DRS,OOZ) favored Alex Gonzalez
UZR has him as 14th among SS’s with at least 800 innings played there.
DRS listed him 2nd
OOZ listed him 5th
Plays (as there is no Scoops for SS’s) listed him 2nd
now based off of UZR alone , one could say that Gonzo was only the 14th best SS in baseball. But his appearance in the top 5 in 3 other categories would say that this is false.
UZR is useful, but it isn’t the be all and end all of defensive metrics. It’s like using OPS for everything, it’s a nice start, but the full picture lies underneath!
invictus mon
November 14th, 2011
4:17 pm
Freeman is a stud on defense and did it day in and day out. I really thought he should have gotten it over Kembrel who played in a quarter the games. That said, both gave us some incredible moments last year. Our future is bright in Atlanta. NOW STOP TIPPING THOSE DADGUM HATS!
bravesgrl4Life
November 14th, 2011
4:17 pm
For once, I have to (cough, cough) agree with Mitchell. Leave Craig alone for going to Hawaii for Moylan’s wedding! I also agree with him on the fact that the blown saves weren’t all on Craig’s shoulders. If we could get men on, over and home, it would be very helpful.
And a big CONGRATULATIONS to Craig on the ROY award, and to Fab 5 Freddie Freeman for the runner-up spot!!!
Kendell Jones
November 14th, 2011
4:19 pm
What bush did Jakke come out from under? I don’t think he watched any of the games that Freddie Freeman played in. I don’t live near Atlanta and didn’t get to see all the games, but the games that I saw, I am sure that Freeman deserved all the accolades he is getting. Just hope that the man at the top ton’t get a corncobb up his butt and trade him.
Bobby Coccyx
November 14th, 2011
4:41 pm
Congrats to both!!!!
74 Dawg
November 14th, 2011
4:43 pm
Congratulations Craig Kimbrel and Freddie Freeman on awesome rookie years. And great kids too.
Maria
November 14th, 2011
4:46 pm
People that don’t think Freeman played some exceptional defense are out of their minds. He saved an ungodly amount of errors on bad throws by Uggla, Gonzalez and Chipper. His defense, as a matter of fact, is what made Alex Gonzalez look so much better this year. Let’s see if that happens next season with another first baseman for Alex G. To go along with this, the kid had a pretty good offensive season too. Congrats to Kimbrel but I thought Freeman should have gotten because he plays everyday and Kimbrel doesn’t.
Peter
November 14th, 2011
5:00 pm
Congrats Craig Kimbrel for winning NL Rookie of the Year!
J-Man
November 14th, 2011
5:02 pm
Reasons we DID NOT MAKE THE PLAY-OFFS
#1. Fredi Gongalez burning relief pitchers and to keep trotting D Lowe out there every 5th day.
#2. Derek BLOWE
#3. Larry Parrish
#4. Not believing in our young pitchers
Skeezix
November 14th, 2011
5:05 pm
Well some good news-finally. We needed that after the depression of Sept.
Congrats to both Kimbrel and Freeman!
Fan in NOVA
November 14th, 2011
5:06 pm
Would have preferred a playoff appearance, that is for sure.
1eyedJack
November 14th, 2011
5:09 pm
Congrats to Kimbrell!
To address Jake earlier about Freddie’s defensive shortcomings, i.e. his range and going to his right. Freddie is a right-handed first baseman, which is a relative oddity in itself. And it wasn’t Freddie’s range going to his right so much as Uggla’s range going to his left. And how many first basemen can do a split while scooping an errant throw?
What we have here is a long-term first baseman.
Skeezix
November 14th, 2011
5:12 pm
I want to second a earlier comment someone posted—thanks for taking the tabloid picture of Cuban and the half naked dancer down.
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy jacks bbq
November 14th, 2011
5:15 pm
Pictures of Cuban make me glad that the NBA is on strike and make me want to drink cheap beer.
Brave New World
November 14th, 2011
5:25 pm
Congratulations to Craig and Freddie. Nice to have youth and talent on our team. GO BRAVES!
Dan Uggla
November 14th, 2011
5:27 pm
Frank won’t let me back into the locker room. He says I have to get tested for STDs first.
Brave New World
November 14th, 2011
5:28 pm
Jonathon Papelbon, the “Poor Man’s Craig Kimbrel.”
Bob the Blogger
November 14th, 2011
5:38 pm
I was surprised that Freeman did not get any first place votes, since some people value position players over pitchers. And, yes, Freeman is an outstanding defensive player. Uggla’s throwing got a lot “better” with Freeman on the other end scooping his throws out of the dirt with regularity.
Puma
November 14th, 2011
5:49 pm
The crazy thing is that we have 2 pitchers who could win the same award next year in Tehran and Delgado. I am assuming, although I don’t know this, that Minor is not eligible.
J-Man
November 14th, 2011
5:52 pm
If Papplebon is the “Poor Mans” Craig Kimbrel. How much will Kimbrel get on a free agent contract since Papplebon signed 4 yrs $50 Million?
GoFredi
November 14th, 2011
5:59 pm
Even though dipwad fredi tried his darndest to blow out Kimbrels arm, he won! Good job Craig. Now if fredi would take a hike, the Braves may have players that can last for a year or more. I have not gotten over our dismal September, and I will never get over the Braves keeping fredi.
rugburn
November 14th, 2011
6:04 pm
if freeman’s defense had been poor, agon would have made about 30 errors while hitting nothing. then there would be no question about starting the rookie next year. everyone wants to say agon plays excellent defense but i disagree. freeman saved his butt and agon will get another contract this year because of it
Brave New World
November 14th, 2011
6:05 pm
Freeman is one of the best defensive first basemen in the majors, and he’s going to get even better.
Brave New World
November 14th, 2011
6:08 pm
J-Man November 14th, 2011 5:52 pm
If Papplebon is the “Poor Mans” Craig Kimbrel. How much will Kimbrel get on a free agent contract since Papplebon signed 4 yrs $50 Million?
Fortunately, we won’t know the answer to that question for quite a while.
But here’s another question for you: Who do you think most teams would rather have Papelbon or Kimbrel?
AdirondackDave
November 14th, 2011
6:16 pm
Adding my congrats to Craig and Freddie, both were deserving and both would have won if they weren’t rookies in the same year.
DOB … Seems to be a fair amount of chatter about this hot-shot Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. Big-time power, strong defense, and still pretty your (26 unless…). Looks like he’s going to be signed for $6-8m per year for 5 years. Any chance the Braves considering him? Should fit their budget for a strong outfielder, maybe a bargain.
Jake! - breath in breath out
November 14th, 2011
6:19 pm
Braves are cool
mike
November 14th, 2011
6:34 pm
Jake is clueless, good for both Kimbrel and Freeman. Both great kids with bright futures. Looking forward to watching our offseason moves.
Jake
November 14th, 2011
6:37 pm
Just checking in and yep Freeman still didn’t play exceptional defense this year.
Freddy Freebird
November 14th, 2011
6:39 pm
Should’ve been Freeman. Kimbrel was good for 50 innings. Freddy was good for 500 innings. I guess Kimbrel will excel next year like Heyward did after finishing 2nd last year….Uh, wait a minute. Uh oh. I feel a Tommy John surgery coming on for Kimmy. As Bill Murray said in the classic movie “Meatballs”: “It just doesn’t matter”. True because it’s lipstick on a pig of a season that was just another let down for the fans like me who scrapped dimes and nickles together to go to 6 games during the year and cheer for them. I give up. Need some situational hitters – more like Bourne. Until then, same ol’ “Bobby Ball”.
My Name is Jake and I am A Complete Idiot
November 14th, 2011
6:41 pm
No really, I am. Seriously. I am an idiot. Jake = Idiot. For you Mexicanos out there “El Jake-oh = idioto”
Don’t try and take me out of it. I am an idiot.
rugburn
November 14th, 2011
6:41 pm
jake has a good chance for rookie fan of the year
Jake
November 14th, 2011
6:41 pm
I wish I had a 1/2 a clue.
Jake
November 14th, 2011
6:41 pm
I like men
Jason Wayward
November 14th, 2011
6:42 pm
Jake is hard on himself.
Jason Wayward
November 14th, 2011
6:43 pm
I miss Bobby.
A Well Hit Baseball
November 14th, 2011
6:44 pm
I miss Jason Heyward.
A Baserunner Caught Stealing
November 14th, 2011
6:46 pm
I miss McCann
J-Man
November 14th, 2011
6:57 pm
Matt Kemp is about to resign for 8yrs $160 million. IMO an dumb move by him because he is gonna be on a pretty bad team and he could have gotten a 10 yr deal at 25 million a season from the Sox or Yankees
J-Man
November 14th, 2011
6:58 pm
Any news on the free agency or trade rumor mill for the Braves DOB?
fuzzmeister
November 14th, 2011
7:08 pm
Jake- You are and Idiot sir. FF can play some 1st base
Brave New World
November 14th, 2011
7:13 pm
Steve Martin starring in “The Jake.”
J-Man
November 14th, 2011
7:19 pm
I wanna know what moves we are gonna make next and who our SS, LF and back-up 3b will be. We also need another 8th inning relief pitcher (Joe Nathan)?
Bill in VA
November 14th, 2011
7:19 pm
My congrats also to Venters for a great season!! I look forward to seeing him again next year. He was a class act all year.
BravesfaninWis
November 14th, 2011
8:06 pm
Jake,
Are you f’n serious? Put the bong down dude. Freeman is one hell of a defensive 1st baseman. The kid can dig any ball out of the dirt, do the splits to make sure the ball is there before the runner, and his height is a huge advantage when balls are thrown high to him. The kid flat out saved the Braves a lot of runs this past season. Open your eyes before you make such a stupid comment next time.
benchwarmer
November 14th, 2011
8:16 pm
Is Jake one of those weird guys who gets thrown of the blog all the time who’s just operating under a new name?
Ken Stallings
November 14th, 2011
8:52 pm
The vote could be no other way given how Kimbrel set a new record and had one of the finest seasons for a closer not merely for rookies but for any pitcher!
Freddie Freeman had a great sesons, especially for a rookie. But, Kimbrell set records.
Bob
November 14th, 2011
8:55 pm
Amazing video of a high school player from Columbia TN who kicks the ball dead straight 75-80 yards in the air. He was successful on 54 of 54 attempts this season….100%. Now he needs a college team.
Watch for yourself…it is unreal!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_JKwgwFY3g
Dave
November 14th, 2011
9:14 pm
“…since 1989, when the Chicago Cubs’ Jerome Walton and Dwight Smith finished first and second in the NL.” Congratulations to both Kimbrell and Freeman; and, lets hope they leave a longer impression that the guys from the Cubs 22 years ago.
J-Man
November 14th, 2011
9:24 pm
Now that Hiroyuki Nakajima has been posted from Japan, could the Braves be interested in him at SS?
john in PA
November 14th, 2011
10:03 pm
Sigh….I guess now we have to start thinking of trading him before he, also, gets too expensive….
rainman34
November 14th, 2011
10:08 pm
I love what im hearing about prado and jj. Lots of teams in on both of them so we could get a huge return. Prado is a good second basemen. Not left field not third so he has little value to us anymore. JJ should have been traded at the deadline when we could have got a ton.
ray
November 14th, 2011
10:25 pm
imagine how many more good rookies Braves scouts would find if the Braves drafted players soley based on talent, not cost
ryan
November 14th, 2011
11:16 pm
Marlins close to signing Jose Reyes and Dodgers sign Matt Kemp to $160 million deal so forget about Kemp Braves fans .
Bill
November 14th, 2011
11:48 pm
Tigers talking to Braves about Prado…for Delmon Young.(MLB) What you fans think? Rockies still interested in Prado.
Houston to request move to AL in 2013……
bravesfaninNashville
November 15th, 2011
3:45 am
Jake……. take off the 3D glasses while watching the non 3D TV it obviously blurs your vision…. Fredi Freeman has SEVERAL Gold Gloves in his future..
wjones
November 15th, 2011
7:10 am
Just checking in. Jake is still wrong.
Braves’ Craig Kimbrel is NL Rookie of the Year – Snap Shots - GoUpstate - Spartanburg, SC - Archive
November 15th, 2011
7:17 am
[...] AJC story [...]
Gulf Coast
November 15th, 2011
7:56 am
Sad where we’ve come to as a society when a text message serves as a proxy for “being there” for somebody. Happy for CK and FF and Braves Country, though!
fred
November 15th, 2011
8:01 am
Well JAKE stole the Show……..sad!
Kimbrel & Freeman Congrats. Keep up the Great job.
Arkie
November 15th, 2011
8:01 am
Come on guys, Jake saw all the games on his RADIO, ha. Good job Jake – not many saw through your attempt for some blog fun. Congratulations to Kimbrell, Freeman and all our young future stars. You are the future. A lot of defense is based on positioning and how hitters are pitched. Freeman will get better as he practices his craft at the major league level. keep everyone awake – Jake.
DoninAcworth
November 15th, 2011
8:25 am
Great news for a great preformance for both players! Re: Jake, he gets what he wants, he’s a “news
hog” and lovin the attention he’s getting. Just pulling your chain Braves fans.
Now, about tomorrow…..Go Braves! P.S. Thanks to BW for his contact and helping hand to a new
star!
Sonny Jackson
November 15th, 2011
9:23 am
Thought Freddy should have won… don’t pitchers have their own awards?
True Falcon Fan
November 15th, 2011
9:43 am
Good news and congrats to Krimbrel and Freeman
NOW WHEN IS FREDDIE GONE & WHO IS REPLACING HIM??????????????????????????????
Trader Jack
November 15th, 2011
9:53 am
trade Freeman & Jurrjens to the Reds for Joey Votto !
poolcue
November 15th, 2011
10:21 am
AFTER THE YEAR THAT FAT FREDI DIDNT HAVE, HOW COULD THE BRAVES NOT LET HIM GO? THE MAN IS NOT THE LEADER OUR YOUNG PLAYERS NEED.
phil
November 15th, 2011
12:57 pm
Correct, poolcue…
Fire FG…
And good riddance being done with the tatooed-covered Moylan…
Not Automatic
November 15th, 2011
1:07 pm
I remember the Kimbrel walks/runs in the deciding game against the Phillies that kept Braves out of playoffs. He failed when it mattered most !
spike
November 15th, 2011
1:38 pm
Prado for Young would be a colossal mistake. Either there is more to the deal, or it ain’t happening. Young is another empty power threat who is costs more, hits and plays defense worse, is less versatile, and is under team control for one year less than Prado. Wren ain’t that dumb no matter how much Jim Bowden and others think this somehow “makes sense” for anyone besides Detroit
Banned Poster
November 15th, 2011
1:43 pm
Congrats to Craig on his well deserved award. Don’t worry about Freddie as I see an MVP, several gold gloves, and plenty of All-Star appearances in his future. He is just getting started.
Jake
November 15th, 2011
1:45 pm
I…ma…too…llll
Jake
November 15th, 2011
1:46 pm
Yeah it’s raining men!!!! I said it’s raining men!!!
Brave New World
November 15th, 2011
1:57 pm
Not Automatic November 15th, 2011 1:07 pm I remember the Kimbrel walks/runs in the deciding game against the Phillies that kept Braves out of playoffs. He failed when it mattered most !
I remember the heart of the Phils order meekly bowing to the Cardinals’ authority in the bottom of the 9th in a 1-0 loss that booted them from the playoffs.
nashvillewill
November 15th, 2011
2:07 pm
Venters and Kimbrel one and two in the league in appearances. Kimbrel is ROY. That says all you need to hear about FG–he mismanaged this pitching staff into fatigue-oblivion. His early season talk of situational closers disintegrated into overusing Venters and Kimbrel in too many games. EOF could have closed after it became obvious Kimbrel was not so effective. Kimbrel’s ROY and FG’s mismanagement thus cost the Braves the playoffs.
Mark's for the Braves
November 15th, 2011
2:07 pm
Congrats to Huntsville’s own Craig Kimbrell! looking forward to another great year in ‘12! Hold your head up, Freddie–you had a great year too!
wjones
November 15th, 2011
3:06 pm
“Not Automatic
November 15th, 2011
1:07 pm
I remember the Kimbrel walks/runs in the deciding game against the Phillies that kept Braves out of playoffs. He failed when it mattered most !”
I remember that dog Mariano Rivera blowing the seventh game of the World Series back in 2001, right on the heels of 9-11. Rivera failed a whole NATION when it mattered most!
bozz
November 15th, 2011
3:12 pm
Any way to IP ban some of these clowns who spam the comments section with multiple names and idiotic comments?
Also, congrats to Craig and Freddie, they deserve all the accolades heaped upon them.
Jay Dubu
November 15th, 2011
3:42 pm
When are the Braves going to make a move?
ramblingman
November 15th, 2011
9:08 pm
Congrats to Craig. He completely deserved the ROY. He was one of the top closers this past year and the future looks bright. Well Done.
Congrats to Freddie. He absolutely deserved to finish in the top two. He was a force both offensively and defensively all year and quickly became a vital cog in the lineup. He overcame all the non-fans who were crying all Spring about how we couldn’t put a rookie at first base – of course none of them have the guts to admit they were utterly wrong.
Well Done to both. Great job by the Braves this year. Sure it wound up disappointing but overall it came out better than a lot had figured it would. They have a great foundation and the future looks bright.
Can’t wait for Spring. Go Braves.
DogsBrekky
November 15th, 2011
9:51 pm
Congrats to JAKE for making the all star rookie MVP “Most stupid poster of the year team”
Well done Fab 5 and Kimba !
Choppinmama
November 16th, 2011
4:11 pm
“Aloha” to all the guys relaxing and celebrating out Hawai’i way. Especially good partying at the Kimbrel’s……wooo hoooo! Well deserved for a level-headed bomb-thrower. So innocent-looking too!
Glad Freeman was able to run second……….hope that finish will instill a little more confidence in the overall fandom, and will stop the “move Chipper to first” contingent. Nobody wishbones it over at first like our Fast Freddie. Now, a little more effectiveness at the plate and we have a solid, young player over there for quite a few years to come.
BRAVESNATION4EVER
November 17th, 2011
10:52 am
CONGRATS to KIMBREL be the next MARIANO RIVERA if YOU can and be the BEST that YOU can be-not to mention FREEMAN and HEYWARD YOU TWO be the next ANDRUW and CHIPPER and be the BEST that YOU TWO can be,especially for the DAMN GOOD OLD BRAVES.GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Replacing a Legend – Part 7 « Tomahawk Talk
April 7th, 2013
5:44 pm
[...] of the best first basemen over the first two full years of his career. Sure, he was the Rookie of the Year runner-up in 2011, but who ever remembers second place? Now that the Braves have so many big name players [...]
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