(New York) You didn’t feel Randy Arozarena was a rookie this season.
The powerful and fast outfielder of the Tampa Bay Rays certainly didn’t play like a rookie either.
Arozarena took home the American Rookie of the Year award on Monday night as Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India received the same honor, but in the National.
There was a good reason why fans didn’t feel like Arozarena was in his first season. The 26-year-old Cuban was sensational for the Rays in the 2020 playoffs, slamming 10 home runs, a major league baseball record, in 18 games.
Arozarena hadn’t played enough in 2020 to lose his rookie status, which made him eligible for the honor in 2021. He maintained a batting average of .274 with 32 doubles, 20 long balls and 69 RBIs. , in addition to excelling in defense.
I know I was favorite to be Rookie of the Year, but I hadn’t focused on that honor. My goal was to have another good season and to continue what I had achieved the previous season.
Randy Arozarena
Arozarena got 22 of the 30 first-place votes in the ballot, edging out teammate Wander Franco and Houston Astros right-hander Luis Garcia. The vote was held with the Baseball Columnists Association of America.
Arozarena is the first Rays player to be named Rookie of the Year since outfielder Wil Myers in 2013.
The 20-year-old Franco has all the tools to become a star in major league baseball and his performance in 2021 did not take away that label. The infielder is batting .288 with seven homers and 39 RBIs in less than half the season.
At 24, Garcia had an important role in the Astros’ journey to the World Series. He claimed an 11-8 record with an earned run average of 3.48 in 155 one-third innings. He struck out 167 batters.
India won the National trophy just eight months after securing the second baseman position during spring camp.
PHOTO JEFF DEAN, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jonathan india
India received 29 of 30 first-place votes, edging Miami Marlins left-hander Trevor Rogers and St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson. Rogers received the other first place vote.
India was selected fifth in the 2018 draft and played third in the University of Florida. He has become one of the cornerstones of the Reds’ future.
I didn’t really have a role in the team. I was just there to replace players who weren’t in the lineup, said India. I took it personal. I wanted to be a Major this season and that’s the goal I set in mind.
Jonathan india
He is the first Cincinnati player to be named Rookie of the Year since pitcher Scott Williamson in 1999.
Six feet tall and weighing 200 pounds, India has been a threat in several situations, especially in the second half of the season. He ended the campaign with a batting average of .269, 34 doubles, 21 homers, 69 RBIs and 12 steals. He walked off 71 walks and scored 98 points.
The 23-year-old Rogers was selected for the All-Star game in the National, showing a 7-8 record and an earned-run average of 2.64 in 25 starts. The southpaw passed 155 opponents in the mitt in 133 innings.
Carlson was part of a young and talented group of outfielder in the Cardinals. He batted .266 with 18 home runs and was involved in defense in all three positions in the outfield.
The Managers of the Year will be announced Tuesday night, followed by the Cy-Young Trophy winners on Wednesday, and the Most Valuable Players on Thursday.