Awards Season is the most exciting and anticipated time of the MLB offseason, and we’re just getting started with Monday’s announcement of the 2009 Rookies of the Year among a crowded field of new talent.

Florida Marlins left fielder Chris Coghlan and Oakland Athletics closer Andrew Bailey both had spectacular rookie seasons in the big leagues… so did Philadelphia Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ.

Coghlan, a former infielder who didn’t even get the big leagues until May, received just enough votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America to edge Haap (the only player chosen on all 32 ballots) for the National League Rookie of the Year award. The 24-year-old, who hit .321 with nine homers and 47s RBIs in 128 games, was immediately moved from his natural second base position to left field, where he had played only one time since Little League.

Even more impressive was Coghlan’s 113 hits after the All Star Break, which was 11 more than perennial All-Star Derek Jeter and the most by an NL player since 1965. He nabbed 17 first-place votes for 105 points while Happ tallied 10 first-place check marks for 94 points. Happ, 27, went 12-4 with an impressive 2.93 ERA and 119 strikeouts for the Phillies this season.

The American League’s Rookie of the Year honor went to Bailey, the Athletics’ monster right-hander who went 6-3 with a ridiculous 1.83 ERA and 26 saves in 30 opportunities for the Marlins. He was picked first on 13 of 28 ballots and finished with 88 points.

Texas Rangers youngster shortstop Elvis Andrus was the runner-up with 65 points, just ahead of promising Detroit Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello, who received 64 points.

Be sure to check back this week when the Cy Young Awards are announced. I’ve got my fingers crossed that the AL’s belongs to outstanding Kansas City Royals right-hander Zack Greinke and stoner Tim Lincecum gets the NL honor, though the latter may very well be handed to one of two St. Louis Cardinals.

Related posts:

1. Lidge Helps Phillies Land Oswalt
2. Phillies Trying To Get Oswalt, Dump Werth
3. Pedro, Cliff Lee Back To Phillies?
4. Oswalt heads to Philadelphia
5. Garza: Best Pitcher To Toss No-Hitter This Year