Cowser receives Players Choice Award as AL Outstanding Rookie

Colton Cowser has received his first honor.

Are there more in his future?

The Major League Baseball Players Association has chosen Cowser as American League Outstanding Rookie. The announcement came earlier today.

Cowser received the Players Choice Award over finalists Wilyer Abreu of the Red Sox and Austin Wells of the Yankees. He also is viewed as a favorite for the Baseball Writers’ Association of America award, which will be revealed on Nov. 18.

The fifth-overall pick in the 2021 draft appeared in 153 games and batted .242/.321/.447 with 24 doubles, three triples, 24 home runs and 69 RBIs over 561 plate appearances. He was chosen the AL’s Rookie of the Month in April after hitting .303/.372/.632 with seven doubles, six home runs and 18 RBIs.

Cowser led AL rookies in homers and runs scored (77), and his doubles and RBIs ranked third.

The defense also stood out. Cowser is a Gold Glove finalist in left field, with the announcement coming Nov. 3.

The MLBPA posted a video with players praising Cowser.

“Colton Cowser, man, he’s a gritty player, in my opinion,” said Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who was selected as Player of the Year and AL Outstanding Player. “The sky’s the limit for you, man.”

“Immediate impact on the game,” said Braves starter Chris Sale, chosen the National League’s Outstanding Pitcher and Comeback Player.

“Every at-bat is very competitive,” said Tigers starter Tarik Skubal, named the AL’s Outstanding Pitcher. “He plays a good left field, too.”

“I’ve seen him throw guys out from the warning track, and he’s intimidating from the baserunning side,” said Red Sox’s outfielder Tyler O’Neill, the AL’s Comeback Player.

The video also shows Cowser sitting on the dugout steps reciting past winners, including Judge, Mike Trout, Carlos Correa, Yordan Álvarez and “locker mate” Gunnar Henderson.

“I really don’t view myself as one of those guys, and I think it is kind of eye-opening to see some of these great names on this list,” he said.

“I had one college offer coming out of high school and I always knew that I could really play, but I just really wanted to prove that on the big stage, and I think that’s what kind of drives me to be successful is to prove it to myself and everyone else.

“I think the big thing for me is just continue to have fun and show up to the field with the same mindset and attitude every day and just enjoy it. It’s a short time in your life and I just really want to maximize that.”

Cowser fractured his left hand in Game 2 of the Wild Card series after being hit by a pitch, and he underwent surgery in Phoenix, Ariz. He’s expected to be ready for spring training.