The MLB season is over, and The Sporting News announced its end-of-season honors as it has done since 1925.
While the Awards are not the official Baseball Writers’ Association of America awards, they are still highly regarded. This year, Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela were both named to the end-of-season American League All-Star team. They were in a tie for the fourth outfield selection.
Rafaela was an All-Star Game selection earlier this year, but Abreu was not. However, both players are very deserving of the recognition. Rafaela finished the season with a .283/.319/.442 slash line and 16 home runs. He also played elite defense all season.
Rafaela's OPS was a career high and he is a finalist to win a second consecutive Gold Glove Award. For Abreu, this year marks a big change for him.
Abreu was trusted against left-handed pitching this year, resulting in 264 more plate appearances than last season. He led the American League in doubles and hit a career-high 24 home runs. He is also a Gold Glove finalist.
If Roman Anthony were healthy, it's very possible that the Red Sox would have had three outfielders named to The Sporting News' American League All-Star Team.
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