Cronenworth, Lewis: Baseball Digest ROYs

Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth and Mariners center fielder Kyle Lewis were named Baseball Digest's 2020 Rookies of the Year on Thursday.

Cronenworth was named National League Rookie of the Year after receiving five of seven first-place votes from the Baseball Digest panel. Lewis was named American League Rookie of the Year after also receiving five first-place votes.

Cronenworth won the NL award over Brewers reliever Devin Williams (one first-place vote) and Dodgers right-hander Tony Gonsolin. Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, who finished fourth, earned the other first-place vote.

Lewis won the AL award over White Sox center fielder Luis Robert, who claimed the other two first-place votes. A's catcher Sean Murphy finished third.

The 26-year-old Cronenworth hit .285/.354/.477 with four home runs and an .831 OPS in 54 games for San Diego, while also showing his versatility by playing all over the infield. Cronenworth led NL rookies with 26 runs scored, 22 extra-base hits, 15 doubles, three triples and 82 total bases, and he ranked second among NL rookies with 49 hits, 18 walks and 20 RBIs.

Cronenworth is the fourth Padres player to be named NL Rookie of the Year by Baseball Digest, joining Butch Metzger (1976), Ozzie Smith (‘78) and Benito Santiago (‘87).

The 25-year-old Lewis hit .262/.364/.437 with 11 home runs, five stolen bases and an .801 OPS in 58 games for Seattle. He also played highlight-reel defense in center field and turned in a play of the year candidate with his Ken Griffey-esque grand slam robbery of Ramón Laureano on Sept. 14. Lewis led MLB rookies with 37 runs scored, 34 walks and 90 total bases, and his 11 homers were tied with Robert for the rookie lead.

Lewis is the fourth Mariners player to be Baseball Digest's AL Rookie of the Year, joining Alvin Davis (1984), Kazuhiro Sasaki (2000) and Ichiro Suzuki (‘01).

Baseball Digest has awarded Rookie of the Year honors since 1972.