Purple Row's Colorado Rockies Rookie of the Year Award goes to Ian Stewart.
via media.rockymountainnews.com
Ian Stewart was drafted by the Colorado Rockies with the 10th overall pick in the first round of 2003's draft. Stewart started dominated rookie ball that year (.317/.395/.558, 10 HR). He moved up to Asheville in 2004 and was named the #2 prospect in the South Atlantic League that year by Baseball America. Stewart hit .319/.398/.594, hit 31 2B, 9 3B, 30 HR, knocked in 101 RBI, and stole 20 bases.
2005 and 2006 saw Ian Stewart's path to the majors slow down as he battled injury and the team saw the emergence of Garrett Atkins at the hot corner. But Stewart persevered and, upon advancement to Triple-A in 2007, had a good season at Colorado Springs (if somewhat aided by his home park). It was good enough for Stewart to be called up in the middle of August. He hit his first career home run, a grtand slam, off the Pirate's Tony Armas. He would not be with the team for the postseason.
It was back to the Springs for Stewart to start the 2008 season. At the end of May, Stewart was recalled and performed poorly (.218/.283/.473) for the Rockies. So, it was back to the Springs at the end of June. But shortly after the All-Star Break, Stewart came back and mashed the ball through the end of August. In 12 July games, Stewart hit .432/.519/.614, 15 RBI. August saw Stewie hit .295/.412/.526, 5 HR, 20 RBI. September was forgettable, and this is what Stewart did over his entire 2008 campaign:
Let's look forward to a full season of Ian Stewart in 2009.
The runner-up for this award is Seth Smith.