ATLANTA -- Braves closer Craig Kimbrel was named the National League's Outstanding Rookie during the Players Choice Awards ceremony Thursday night.
Kimbrel has received many similar honors over the past few weeks and stands as the favorite to be named National League Rookie of the Year when the Baseball Writers' Association of America announces the winner on Monday.
Winners of the Players Choice Awards were chosen via balloting conducted among Major League players.
Kimbrel set a Major League rookie record with 46 saves and posted a 2.10 ERA while compiling 77 innings in 79 appearances -- the second-highest total for any big league pitcher.
The hard-throwing closer recorded 127 strikeouts in 77 innings and limited opponents to a .178 batting average. Before blowing three of his final five save opportunities, he had worked 37 1/3 scoreless innings dating back to the middle of June.
