Braves players congratulate pitcher Craig Kimbrel after recording the final out at Nationals Park. The Braves defeated the Nationals 2-0. (Photo: Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE)
NEW YORK (AP) -- Atlanta Braves closer Craig Kimbrel has been chosen the NL Rookie of the Year in a unanimous vote and Tampa Bay pitcher Jeremy Hellickson has won the AL award.
The honors were announced Monday.
Kimbrel set a major league record for saves by a rookie with 46.
The hard-throwing righty earned all 32 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Kimbrel easily outpointed Braves teammate Freddie Freeman.
Hellickson went 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA in helping the Rays win the AL wild-card spot. He drew 17 of 28 first-place votes and finished ahead of Los Angeles Angels first baseman Mark Trumbo.
The AL Cy Young Award will be announced Tuesday.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)