PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed pitcher Wade Miley finished second to Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper in the 2012 National League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year voting, announced Monday by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Miley's second-place finish was the best by a D-backs rookie in team history.
Miley, who turns 26 Tuesday, went 16-11 with a 3.33 ERA in 32 games in his first full season with the D-backs in 2012. He led all NL rookie pitchers in winning percentage (.593), ERA, wins, quality starts (18), strikeouts (144), innings pitched and ranked third in opponent average (.255). Miley's 16 victories were the most by an NL rookie since the Rockies' Jason Jennings in 2002, while his .290 opponent on-base percentage was the lowest by a rookie left-hander since the Dodgers' Fernando Valenzuela in 1981 (.270).
Miley picked up 12 first-place votes, 13 second-place votes and six third-place votes from the 32-voter panel to finish with 105 points. He was left off of one ballot.
Harper had 16 first-place votes and 112 total points; he was named on all 32 ballots.
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Todd Frazier got three first-place votes and finished third with 45 points, with the final first-place vote oging to Colorado Rockies catcher Wilin Rosario, who finished with 12 points. Also receiving votes were Milwaukee outfielder Norichika Aoki, San Diego first baseman Yonder Alonzo, Colorado infielder Jordan Pacheco and St. Louis infielder Matt Carpenter.
The American League Award went to outfielder Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels, who swept every first-place vote. Oakland outfielder Yoenis Cespedes finished second, followed by Texas pitcher Yu Darvish.
"I would like to congratulate both Mike Trout and Bryce Harper on winning the Rookie of the Year awards," Miley said. "I am very honored to be mentioned for such a prestigious award and cannot thank my teammates and coaches enough for putting me in position to succeed every time I went to the mound."
Miley was selected by the Arizona Chapter of the BBWAA as the D-backs' Most Valuable Pitcher and Rookie of the Year. He also was named to his first NL All-Star Team in July, the 17th rookie pitcher overall.
