News
Reimold named a Topps All-Star Rookie
Outfielder led AL neophytes in several stats, including homers
By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com
11/25/09 12:06 PM EST
BALTIMORE -- Nolan Reimold received a well-deserved accolade for his strong debut season on Wednesday, when he was named to the 2009 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star team. Reimold led all American League rookies in home runs (15), on-base percentage (.365) and slugging (.466) when his season was cut short by injury.
Reimold had a memorable rookie season for the Orioles, but he began the year on a torrid streak for Triple-A Norfolk. The former second-round draftee batted .394 with nine home runs in his first 31 games to spur his promotion, and then once he reached the big leagues, he hit his first home run off All-Star closer Mariano Rivera.
Reimold, in fact, became the first player in Major League history to hit his first homer off Rivera. The 26-year-old batted .257 with nine home runs and 23 RBIs in 51 games during the first half of the season, and then he improved to hit .299 with six home runs and 22 RBIs in 53 games after the All-Star break.
An injury puts things in even sharper perspective. Reimold was playing for most of the year on a partially torn left Achilles tendon, an ailment that hampered his range and his speed on the basepaths. He underwent surgery in late September and is expected to be at full speed when the team convenes for Spring Training.
Another Oriole, catcher Matt Wieters, was a notable omission from the Rookie All-Star team. Current Met and former O's farmhand Omir Santos was named to the Topps' assembly despite trailing Wieters in batting average (.288 and .260), on-base percentage (.340 and .296) and slugging (.412 and .390).
Spencer Fordin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
