MLB Rookies of the Year Announced

Shohei Ohtani

The Los Angeles Angels’ version of Babe Ruth took home the trophy for the American League. He beat out the two Yankees Miguel Andújar and Gleyber Torres. He finished with 25 out of 30 first place votes and the other five were given to Andújar.

While Ohtani missed a chunk of the season due to his UCL injury, what he did was nothing short of remarkable. Babe Ruth was the last player to hit at least 20 home runs  as well as pitch 50 innings. That was in 1919.

He pitched to a 4-2 record in 10 starts with a 3.31 ERA in 51.2 IP. He also racked up 60 strikeouts and a 1.16 WHIP. As a hitter he hit for a .285 AVG, .361 OBP, .564 SLG, and .925 OPS and 22 home runs in 367 plate appearances. The sample size may not be what some people like but he was great on both ends.

Ohtani is the fourth Japanese player to win  the award and its was the first time since Ichiro did it back in 2001. The other to accomplish this honor was Hideo Nomo, and Kazuhiro Sasaki.

Ohtani will not pitch next season because of the Tommy John surgery but he will be in the batter’s box once he’s healthy but he may have to start the year on the DL.

A lot of Yankees fans were outraged that Andújar didn’t win but what Ohtani did was historic. Not only did he pitch and hit but he was good at both of them and undoubtedly deserved to win the award.

 

Ronald Acuña Jr.

For the National League it was Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. who was named the Rookie of the Year. He ran away with the award by receiving 27 out of 30 first place votes. Juan Soto of the Nationals got two votes and Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler got one vote.

Acuña entered the season as the top prospect in the MLB by several analysts and was the favorite to win for most of the year and he absolutely lived up tp the hype. He was an important piece in the Braves lineup who exceeded expectations this season by winning the NL East.

Acuña hit for a .293 AVG with a .366 OBP, .552 SLG, and .917 OPS with 26 home runs. He produced these numbers as a 20-year old.  Soto’s stats were very similar in the offensive category but Acuña figures to be a more complete player. Acuña’s second half is likely what sealed his victory for the award. After the All-Star break, he hit .322/.403/.627

Long time sports fan, first time writer. I played a little college football at American International College (You probably have never heard of it). My favorite teams consist of the Jets, Yankees, Rangers, and Knicks. While three of those teams have brought me nothing but stress, I wouldn't want it any other way.

Related posts