Orioles' Mark Trumbo voted Sporting News AL Comeback Player of the Year

Justin McGuire

Orioles' Mark Trumbo voted Sporting News AL Comeback Player of the Year image

Orioles OF/DH Mark Trumbo is Sporting News’ 2016 American League Comeback Player of the Year, as selected by a panel of 174 AL players. SN has given out the award since 1965.

The veteran slugger, 30, edged out Rangers outfielder Ian Desmond by just one vote.

Trumbo led the majors with 47 homers and drove in 108 runs in helping Baltimore secure a spot in the playoffs. He was among the AL leaders in games played, slugging and total bases while slashing .256/.316/.533.

Additionally, he made his second All-Star team and participated in the Home Run Derby for the first time.

That was a far cry from his 2015 season, when Trumbo hit just 22 home runs and drove in 64 runs with Diamondbacks and Mariners.

"He's an excellent veteran player," Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette told the Baltimore Sun last month. "I really like what he's done for our team. He's got some really good personal qualities that add to the ballclub."

MORE: Sporting News MLB Players of the Year, 1936-2015

Trumbo was traded with C.J. Riefenhauser to the Orioles during last offseason for backup catcher Steve Clevenger. It looked like a minor deal at the time, but turned out to be anything but for the Orioles.

Trumbo is the third Oriole to win the SN comeback award, following Boog Powell (1966) and Rick Sutcliffe (1992).

VOTING RESULTS

Voting by AL players only:

1. Mark Trumbo, Orioles-40

2. Ian Desmond, Rangers-39

3. Rick Porcello, Red Sox-28

4. Robinson Cano, Mariners-13
Yu Darvish, Rangers-13

6. Hanley Ramirez, Red Sox-9

7. Chris Tillman, Orioles-4

8. Victor Martinez, Tigers-3

9. Justin Verlander, Tigers-2

Other-23

THIS WEEK’S SN AWARD SCHEDULE

Monday: Rookies of the Year (AL and NL) and Managers of the Year (AL and NL)

Tuesday: Comeback Players of the Year (AL and NL)

Wednesday: AL All-Star Team | NL All-Star Team

Thursday: MLB Player of the Year

Justin McGuire