Florida's Coghlan voted top NL rookie

NEW YORK, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Florida outfielder Chris Coghlan, who hit .321 last season, was voted the National League Rookie of the Year.

Coghlan, 24, added nine home runs and 47 runs batted in to his .321 average over 128 games for the Marlins, who boast their third rookie of the year winner since 2003. Dontrelle Willis won the honor in 2003 and Hanley Ramirez took the award in 2006 for Florida.

Coghlan finished the season with a flourish, getting 47 hits in August -- the highest such monthly total for a rookie since 1954 -- and then 46 hits in September. Coghlan's batting average was the best among NL rookies, as were his totals for on-base percentage, hits and runs.

Coghlan was listed first on 17 of 32 ballots and was second on six others and third on two for a total of 105 points. Philadelphia starting pitcher J.A. Happ was second with 94 points.

The award is determined on a vote by members of the Baseball Writers Association of American representing each National League city.