Galarraga named Tigers' top rookie 2008

11/03/08 1:00 PM ET
Galarraga named Tigers' top rookie
Surprising starter honored for successful 2008 campaign

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

DETROIT -- The Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association named right-hander Armando Galarraga as the Tigers Rookie of the Year on Monday, celebrating a season in which the Minor League trade acquisition became one of the bigger surprises in the American League.

Galarraga, acquired in February from the Rangers for Minor League outfielder Michael Hernandez, opened the season at Triple-A Toledo before earning his shot when a hyperextended right knee forced Dontrelle Willis onto the disabled list. From there, he became one of the most reliable starters the Tigers had and ended up leading the team in victories.

Galarraga won seven of his first nine decisions, and the Tigers won 11 of his first 13 starts. He took a 12-4 record into late August before finishing with a 13-7 mark and a 3.73 ERA. Among his highlights, he took a shutout bid into the ninth inning on May 28 against the Angels, and took a perfect game into the seventh inning in a July 23 win at Kansas City.

The victory total tied Galarraga for the Major League rookie lead with former Tigers prospect Jair Jurrjens, who also won 13 for Atlanta. Galarraga's 126 strikeouts led all AL rookies and passed Justin Verlander's 124 strikeouts from 2006 to set a new standard for Tigers rookie right-handers.

Among all AL pitchers regardless of experience, Galarraga ranked second with a .226 opposing batting average and 7.66 hits allowed per nine innings, trailing only Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka.

With that kind of success in the face of Detroit's struggles, Galarraga is one of the few certainties set up for the Tigers' rotation next season. Manager Jim Leyland has said that Galarraga and Verlander are the two starters who are guaranteed spots, with Jeremy Bonderman also set if he's healthy heading into the season.

The DSBA has awarded Tigers Rookie of the Year honors since 1969. Galarraga is just the second starting pitcher over the last seven years to win the award, joining Verlander. He's also the fifth pitcher to win the honor since 1989 -- the others were Verlander, Victor Santos (2001), Matt Anderson (1998) and Kevin Ritz (1989).

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

AROUND THE HORN
Armando Galarraga is Tigers' rookie of the year
Right-hander had 13 wins, 126 K's
FREE PRESS NEWS SERVICES • November 4, 2008

Right-hander Armando Galarraga was named Tigers rookie of the year by the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association.

Galarraga led American League rookies with 13 wins and 126 strikeouts, and he was third with a 3.73 ERA. He ranked second among AL pitchers with a .226 batting average against.

His 126 strikeouts are the most by a Tigers rookie right-hander, besting the 124 of Justin Verlander in 2006.

Boston: General manager Theo Epstein signed a contract extension for undisclosed terms. ... The club will keep its spring home in the Ft. Myers, Fla., area for 30 more years.

Clemens case: A judge in Houston said he is "agonizing" over a defamation lawsuit Roger Clemens filed against his former trainer. U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison made the comment after a hearing. The issues are whether or not Ellison should throw out the suit and if he doesn't, whether it should stay in Texas. Clemens sued Brian McNamee for telling investigators that the right-hander used steroids and human growth hormone.

Florida: Left-hander Dan Meyer was claimed off waivers after going 0-4 with a 7.48 ERA with Oakland.

Free agents: Filing Monday were former Tigers shortstop Edgar Renteria, and Tigers pitchers Kyle Farnsworth and Casey Fossum.

Milwaukee: The Brewers opened the bidding for free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia. General manager Doug Melvin said the team made a contract proposal to Sabathia, but he wasn't willing to discuss terms. ... Mike Cameron's $10-million option was picked up. The outfielder batted .243 with 25 homers and 70 RBIs.

San Diego: Jim Lefebvre was named hitting coach and Ted Simmons bench coach. Simmons, who was born in Highland Park and starred at Southfield High, was an eight-time All-Star catcher. He began last season as bench coach of the Brewers but was reassigned to an advisory role when manager Ned Yost was fired Sept. 15. Simmons spent nine years with the Padres as a major league scout, an assistant to GM Kevin Towers and vice president of baseball operations. Simmons, GM of the Pirates in 1992-93, played 21 seasons with St. Louis, Milwaukee and Atlanta. He ranks ninth all-time among switch-hitters with 2,472 hits. He was a career .285 hitter with 248 home runs.

Tampa Bay: The American League champion Rays declined contract options on DH Cliff Floyd and former Tigers left-hander Trever Miller.

Texas: Mike Maddux was named pitching coach after spending six seasons in the same role for Milwaukee. Maddux will oversee a staff that had a 5.97 ERA this season, worst in the majors. The Rangers named Andy Hawkins bullpen coach.

Toronto: The Blue Jays claimed two players off waivers: right-hander Kelvin Jimenez from St. Louis and shortstop Angel Sanchez from K.C.