Congratulations are in order for Brandon Laird.

The Yankees third baseman was named the Eastern League’s Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year on Thursday, quite an honor for a 22-year-old who had never played above Class A before this season.

Laird has struggled for the most part in his time in Triple-A, but this should help remind everyone just how good a 2010 he has had. For Trenton, he hit .291 with 23 homers and 90 RBIs. He slugged .523 and posted a .355 on-base percentage.

He has some work to do to master the Triple-A level, for sure. But there’s a lot to like about Laird. He has a quick bat, the ball explodes off of it, and he seems to have the right attitude. Pitchers are getting him out with sliders off the plate at this level, and he’s just not picking that pitch up yet. But give him a while. History says Triple-A takes some time (see Montero, Jesus).