DeJesus, Greinke honored by Royals
Published on November 4, 2004 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
OMAHA â Two players who began the 2004 season as Omaha Royals â center fielder David DeJesus and right-hander Zack Greinke â today became the first rookie duo to win Kansas City Royals Player and Pitcher of the Year honors in the same season. DeJesus was selected as the Les Milgram Royals Player of the Year and Greinke was chosen as the Bruce Rice Royals Pitcher of the Year in a vote by the Kansas City Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.
DeJesus, 24, joins Bob Hamelin (1994) as just the second rookie in KC Royals history to win Player of the Year honors. DeJesus began the season with Omaha, hitting .315 (62-197) with 6 home runs, 16 RBI and 38 runs scored in 50 games at Triple-A. After struggling in his first call up to Kansas City (April 25-May 11), DeJesus went up for good on June 25.
On the year, DeJesus tied for the KC team lead with a .287 average and collected 15 doubles, three triples, seven homers and 39 RBI in 96 games. Following the All-Star break, he led Kansas City in average (.314), hits (93), runs (51), on-base percentage (.385), extra base hits (24) and stolen bases (tied, 7).
The Manalapan, N.J. native set a KC rookie record with a 15-game hitting streak from July 30-Aug. 16, breaking the previous streak of 13 games set by Mark Quinn in 2000. DeJesus posted another 15-game hit string to end the season (Sept. 19-Oct. 3).
Greinke, 21, is also just the second rookie in KC Royals history to win the Pitcher of the Year award, joining Dennis Leonard (1975). He finished with an 8-11 record and a 3.97 ERA, the best mark among Kansas City's starters, in 24 games. Greinke made 6 starts for Omaha to begin the season, posting a 2.51 ERA while not being involved in a decision.
Greinke made his Major League debut on May 22 at Oakland, becoming the youngest active player in the Majors and the third-youngest pitcher to start a game for Kansas City, at 20 years, 7 months, 1 day.
The Orlando, FL native wound up leading all Major League rookies in ERA (minimum 98.0 IP). He also ranked among Major League rookie leaders in innings pitched (2nd, 145.0), wins (3rd), and strikeouts (2nd, 100).
Pacific Coast League Stories from November 4, 2004
- DeJesus, Greinke honored by Royals - Omaha Storm Chasers
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