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Players, coaches, writers think Wade Miley should be NL Rookie of the Year

After an impressive rookie campaign, the D'Backs left hander faces stiff competition for NL Rookie of the Year.

Thearon W. Henderson

BBWAA voters will have a tough decision to make when they choose the NL Rookie of the Year on Tuesday, and if the Arizona Diamondbacks have any say in the matter, left hander Wade Miley ought to walk away with the award.

Miley led all D'Backs pitchers with 16 wins in 2012 and and finished first among NL rookies in earned run average (3.33) and strikeouts (144). He stepped into a D'Backs rotation that was struggling after losing Daniel Hudson and became an anchor for the unstable staff.

D'backs' manager Kirk Gibson believes Miley might not be a favorite for the award, but that his body of work should give him the nod over Cincinnati Reds' third baseman Todd Frazier and Washington Nationals' outfielder Bryce Harper.

"He may not be the popular choice, but he's the right choice," Gibson told Hal Bodley of MLB.com. "He just attacks the zone. You might expect veteran guys like Cliff Lee to do that, but Wade's a rookie who does it. How many rookies do that? If you look at his season, it's unmatched."

D'backs' team president Derrick Hall echoed his manager's thoughts.

"He was fantastic, and clearly our most consistent starter," said Hall. "I am biased, but I strongly believe he deserves Rookie of the Year. He was dominant most of the season, which is difficult to accomplish as a rookie."

The NL Rookie of the Year will be announced on Tuesday.