Anthony Rendon named NL Comeback Player of the Year

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

November 29, 2016, 10:10am

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Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year today, according to a Major League Baseball announcement. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello won the American League Comeback Player of the Year honor.

The award is given each season to the player who "has re-emerged on the field during the season." The 30 MLB.com beat reporters selected the winners from an original list of 30 candidates, one from each major league club.

Rendon accelerated his season after a slow start and combined a consistent bat with pinpoint fielding to help guide the Nationals to a first-place finish in the NL East. The Rice University product hit .270 in his fourth major league season with 20 home runs and a career-high 85 RBIs in 156 games. He bounced back in 2016 after being limited to 80 games the prior season due to various injuries. His 52 RBIs in the second half of the season was fifth-best in the NL.

Rendon had 153 hits, 91 runs, 38 doubles, two triples, 65 walks (a career high) and 12 stolen bases. His on-base percentage was .348 and his slugging percentage finished at .450.

The 38 doubles were the best amongst NL third baseman, and Rendon also had the top fielding percentage (.976) in the senior circuit at his position.

Rendon topped the Nationals in runs scored and reached 500 career hits with a three-run home run against the Diamondbacks on Sept. 27.

Former Nationals first baseman Dmitri Young took home the honor in 2007.