Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager was named the winner of the 2016 Esurance MLB Best Rookie Award. He was a finalist with New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez and Washington Nationals utility man Trea Turner.
The top three were pared down from a group of five rookies that included Detroit Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer and Cleveland Indians outfielder Taylor Naquin. Seager adds the hardware to his 2016 National League Rookie of the Year Award, which he won as a unanimous selection.
Turner was a finalist for Rookie of the Year, and so too was Seager’s teammate, Kenta Maeda. The 22-year-old shortstop batted .308/.365/.512 with a 137 OPS+, .372 wOBA and 137 wRC+ over 157 games.
He led the Dodgers in batting average, on-base percentage, total hits (193), doubles (40), triples (five) and was second in home runs (26). Seager broke Steve Sax’s Los Angeles franchise record for most hits in a single season (180 in 1982).
In addition, he also set a Dodgers franchise record for most home runs by a shortstop in a season, broke Eric Karros’ rookie record for most doubles (30), and with 321 total bases broke Mike Piazza’s rookie record (307).
Seager finished third in NL MVP voting, behind winner and Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant and Daniel Murphy of the Washington Nationals.
Vin Scully won the Esurance Award for Best Call TV/Radio for his call of Charlie Culberson’s walk-off home run that sealed the NL West title for the Dodgers. The play was the last Scully called at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers’ photo of the retired Hall-of-Fame broadcaster wearing goggles and flashing a thumbs up was a finalist for Best Social Media Post. Retired Chicago Cubs catcher David Ross won the award for his selfies with the World Series trophy and at the victory parade.
The Dodgers’ on-field ceremony to honor Scully’s historic career was a finalist for Best Moment, which was won by the Miami Marlins for their pregame tribute to the late Jose Fernandez.
