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Phillies Notes: MLB players name Happ top NL rookie
J.A. Happ did not begin the season with the intention of collecting awards, but he was deeply honored by one announced yesterday.
"It feels really good to have guys that you play against vote for you," Happ said after winning the Sporting News award for National League rookie of the year. The award was determined in voting by 338 major-league players. Chicago White Sox third baseman Gordon Beckham won in the American League.
"It's kind of the ultimate validation, really," Happ said.
Happ remains a candidate for the baseball writers' rookie of the year award, given next month. The lefthander went 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA in 35 games in the regular season, striking out 119 in 166 innings, with two shutouts.
"J.A. wasn't the typical pitching prospect because he didn't necessarily put the numbers up on the radar gun," Orioles scout Bob Szymkowski, who signed Happ with the Phillies in 2004, told Sporting News. "Most times, he threw 86 to 88 [m.p.h.]. But Jay had very good mound composure and competed very well.
"His best qualities were a very deceptive delivery in terms of his arm slot and the ability to mix all of his pitches and locate them on the perimeter of the strike zone. While he didn't have a power approach, he still had a great feel for pitching."
Pedro throws
Pedro Martinez threw a bullpen session yesterday, keeping him on track for a Game 6 start, if necessary. Cliff Lee would also be on full rest Friday, but the team's plan as of now is to use Martinez.
Contact staff writer Andy Martino at 215-854-4874 or amartino@phillynews.com.
