Chris Coghlan became a human guinea pig in May when the Marlins got to playing mad scientist and turned him into something he wasn't: an outfielder and leadoff hitter. On Monday, a reconfigured Coghlan blossomed into something new: the National League's Rookie of the Year.

``Unbelievable feat,'' Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Coghlan, a minor-league infielder and middle-of-the-order hitter in April, turned into the experiment-gone-right, becoming the third Marlins player to capture the annual award.

Pitcher Dontrelle Willis in 2003 and shortstop Hanley Ramirez in 2006 also won rookie honors as determined by voting members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Coghlan, 24, won in a close decision, finishing just ahead of Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ 105-94. Atlanta pitcher Tommy Hanson was third with 37 points. Happ was named on all 32 ballots to Coghlan's 25, but Coghlan received 17 first-place votes to Happ's 10.

But, unlike his Marlins predecessors, Coghlan won the award playing a foreign position and in an unfamiliar spot in the order. It was all part of a bold gamble by the Marlins that paid off in a big way.

With the Marlins and center fielder Cameron Maybin struggling in early May, Coghlan was moved from the infield to the outfield at Triple A New Orleans.

``We were looking for a little bit of energy in the offense,'' said Larry Beinfest, the Marlins' president of baseball operations.

Coghlan said on May 6, he was informed that he would be moving to the outfield after spending his entire college and minor-league career playing second and third base.

``I laughed,'' he recalled Monday. ``I said, `Are you serious?' ''

On May 7, Coghlan played left field for the Zephyrs for the first time. It was his first taste of the outfield since Little League. He said he fielded two singles hit his way.

On May 8, Coghlan made his big-league debut, going 2 for 4.

On May 10, in Denver, Coghlan made his first start for the Marlins in left, batting second.

``I adjusted on the fly and I was going to learn it in the major leagues,'' Coghlan said. ``I didn't get one fly ball until I got to Coors Field. I remember catching it, but I don't even remember who was hitting. I just remember it was one of the few times I was nervous.''

On May 30, he took over for Emilio Bonifacio in the leadoff spot.

By the end of the season, Coghlan had emerged as not only one of the top rookies in the majors, but also one of the top leadoff hitters in either league, ending his rookie year with a .321 average that placed him sixth in the NL.

Only the New York Yankees' Derek Jeter had a higher on-base percentage than Coghlan's .397 among major-league leadoff hitters with at least 400 at-bats. Jeter finished at .409.

Coghlan did most of his damage after the All-Star break, when he hit. 372 and set rookie records not seen in decades.

His 113 hits after the break tied for the most by any NL hitter -- rookie or veteran -- in the past 45 seasons. His 47 hits in August were the most by a NL rookie in a month since Wally Moon (52 in July, 1954). Coghlan had 47 more hits in September.

Coghlan became the first NL rookie in history to lead the league in hits after the All-Star break.

``It was an experiment, really,'' Gonzalez said. ``He had never led off in his life, and he had never played the outfield. I don't think we ever lost a game because of him defensively. Even if he misplayed a ball for whatever reason, you always laid your head on the pillow at night and said he gave his all.''

AL ROOKIE OF YEAR

Oakland closer Andrew Bailey won the AL Rookie of the Year Award after posting 26 saves with a 1.84 ERA. He was first on 13 of 28 ballots and finished with 88 points. Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus (65) was runner-up, with one more vote than Detroit pitcher Rick Porcello.

Bailey was driving when he got word.

``At first I thought it was a prank call. Which one of my friends is playing a prank on me?'' he said. ``I didn't want to take my eyes off the road.''

AROUND THE MAJORS

• Mets: Wally Backman was hired as manager of the New York Mets' Brooklyn Cyclones farm team in the New York-Penn League. A member of the Mets' 1986 World Series championship team, Backman was hired to manage the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2004. He was fired four days later after The New York Times reported he had been arrested twice and had financial problems.

• Reds: Catcher Ramon Hernandez agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract with the Reds after Cincinnati declined his $8 million option.