DETROIT -- The Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association named right-hander Armando Galarraga as the Tigers Rookie of the Year on Monday, celebrating a season in which the Minor League trade acquisition became one of the bigger surprises in the American League.

Galarraga, acquired in February from the Rangers for Minor League outfielder Michael Hernandez, opened the season at Triple-A Toledo before earning his shot when a hyperextended right knee forced Dontrelle Willis onto the disabled list. From there, he became one of the most reliable starters the Tigers had and ended up leading the team in victories.

Galarraga won seven of his first nine decisions, and the Tigers won 11 of his first 13 starts. He took a 12-4 record into late August before finishing with a 13-7 mark and a 3.73 ERA. Among his highlights, he took a shutout bid into the ninth inning on May 28 against the Angels, and took a perfect game into the seventh inning in a July 23 win at Kansas City.

The victory total tied Galarraga for the Major League rookie lead with former Tigers prospect Jair Jurrjens, who also won 13 for Atlanta. Galarraga's 126 strikeouts led all AL rookies and passed Justin Verlander's 124 strikeouts from 2006 to set a new standard for Tigers rookie right-handers.

Among all AL pitchers regardless of experience, Galarraga ranked second with a .226 opposing batting average and 7.66 hits allowed per nine innings, trailing only Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka.

With that kind of success in the face of Detroit's struggles, Galarraga is one of the few certainties set up for the Tigers' rotation next season. Manager Jim Leyland has said that Galarraga and Verlander are the two starters who are guaranteed spots, with Jeremy Bonderman also set if he's healthy heading into the season.

The DSBA has awarded Tigers Rookie of the Year honors since 1969. Galarraga is just the second starting pitcher over the last seven years to win the award, joining Verlander. He's also the fifth pitcher to win the honor since 1989 -- the others were Verlander, Victor Santos (2001), Matt Anderson (1998) and Kevin Ritz (1989).