Chicago White Sox third baseman Gordon Beckham was named The Sporting News’ 2009 American League rookie of the year, the publication announced Tuesday.

The latest honor for the former University of Georgia All-American is noteworthy because a panel of 338 major league players selected the winners. Philadelphia pitcher J.A. Happ won the National League’s rookie honor.

Beckham batted .270 with 28 doubles, 14 home runs and 63 RBI after being promoted to the White Sox on June 4. He played in 103 games for Chicago while adjusting to third base despite playing shortstop for his entire baseball career. In 2008, he was the White Sox’s first round draft pick (No. 8 overall) after a stellar three-year collegiate career including leading the Bulldogs to the College World Series Finals. Happ went from Philadelphia’s bullpen to its rotation in late May, going 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA in 35 games (23 starts).

Beckham led the American League rookies in doubles, RBI and extra base hits and finished second in home runs and on-base percentage.

“We saw a guy who was going to be able to play shortstop but also with the ability to move over to second or third. And that’s what he ended up having to do this year,” Doug Laumann, Chicago’s director of amateur scouting, told The Sporting News. “Offensively, we thought he would be a high-average guy with average big league power and the ability to knock in a lot of runs. He could take the ball the other way, but if the ball was on the inner half, he was able to turn on it and drive the ball. He is willing to learn and wants to get better.”

The Baseball Writers Association of America will announce its Major League Baseball awards next month after the conclusion of the World Series.

Along with Beckham, the other top American League rookie of the year candidates in 2009 include Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus (.267-6-40, 33 SB, .968 FLDG%), Detroit starting pitcher Rick Porcello (14-9, 3.96 ERA) and Oakland closer Andrew Bailey (6-3, 1.84 ERA, 26 Saves). If the writers select Beckham, he would be the first White Sox Rookie of the Year since Ozzie Guillen who swept both honors in 1985. Currently, Guillen manages the White Sox.

- Georgia Sports Communications