Harper named NL Rookie of the Year


 

Bryce Harper was named the NL Rookie of the Year for his play in 2012. (Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE)

Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was named the National League Rookie of the Year on Monday, barely beating out Arizona pitcher Wade Miley.

Harper received 16 first-place votes and 112 total points, and Wiley received 12 first-place votes and 105 total points in the balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
It was the fourth-closest margin in Rookie of the Year voting.

Todd Frazier of the Reds finished third, but he received just 45 voting points. No other player got more than 12 points.

Harper became the first player from the Nationals franchise to win the award since Expos outfielder Andre Dawson won it in 1977.

Harper, 19, made his Major League debut on April 28, and he finished hitting .270 with 22 home runs and 59 RBIs. He led the team in runs scored (98) and triples (nine).

Miley, 26, went 16-11 with a 3.33 eaned run average this season.