Wil Myers Edges Jose Iglesias for 2013 AL Rookie of the Year Award

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Wil Myers beat out Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias to win the 2013 AL Rookie of the Year award on Monday.

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Myers, who received 23 of the 30 first-place votes for this award, led AL rookies with 53 RBIs, while finishing second among first-year players in home runs (13) and batting average (.293). He’s the third Rays player to win this award, joining third baseman Evan Longoria (2008) and pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (2011).

Iglesias was a better fielder than Myers as a sure-handed shortstop, but his lack of stellar offensive numbers (.303 batting average, three home runs, 29 RBIs) didn’t help him. He began the year with the Boston Red Sox, and was traded to the Tigers near the trade deadline in a three-team deal highlighted by Jake Peavy going from the Chicago White Sox to Boston.

The AL and NL MVP awards will be announced on Thursday.