To the surprise of no one, Mike Trout was named the American League Rookie of the Year this week, a unanimous selection for a player who had such an outstanding season it’s hard to believe he was playing in South Jersey for Millville High School only three years ago. But how does he rank with some of the greatest rookie season in baseball history?
Here are five other seasons that were similarly spectacular (scroll to the bottom of the post to vote):
Ted Williams, 1939, Boston Red Sox
.327 BA, 31 HR, 145 RBI, 131 R, 1.045 OPS, .436 OBP, .609 SLG
Led the league in RBI and was considered by Babe Ruth to be the Rookie of the Year even though the award had not be created yet
Fred Lynn, 1975, Boston Red Sox
.331 BA, 21 HR, 105 RBI, 103 Runs, .967 OPS, .401 OBP, .566 SLG
Became the first player to ever win the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in the same season. Finished second in batting, led league in runs scored, doubles and slugging percentage and won Gold Glove award.
Fernando Valenzuela, 1981, Los Angeles Dodgers
13-7, 2.48 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 180 K, 11 CG 8 SO, 25 GS, 192 innings
Became first pitcher to win Rookie of the Year and Cy Young award in the same season. Started the season 8-0 with five shutouts and a 0.50 ERA. Finished with 11 complete games and eight shutouts in strike shortened season, led league in strikeouts and led Dodgers to World Series.
Ichiro Suzuki, 2001, Seattle Mariners
.351 BA, 8 HR, 69 RBI, 127 R, 56 SB, .838 OPS, .381 OBP, .457 SLG
Ichiro was hardly a rookie by traditional standards, but became the second player to win Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in his first pro season in the U.S., while winning a battle title, leading the league in stolen bases and collecting a whopping 242 hits.
Albert Pujols, 2001, St. Louis Cardinals
.331 BA, 37 HR, 130 RBI, 112 R, 1.013 OPS, 403 OBP, .610 SLG
Won Rookie of the Year honors, set a National League rookie record for RBI with 130 and became just the fourth rookie to hit .300 with 30 homeruns, knock in 100 RBI and score 100 runs.
Mike Trout, 2012, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
.326 BA, 30 HR, 80 RBI, 129 R, 49 SB, .963 OPS, .399 OBP, .564 SLG
Won Rookie of the Year honors while becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 30 homers, steal 45 bases and score 125 runs in one season. Became the youngest player to ever join the 30-30 club (30 homeruns, 30 stolen bases) and the first rookie to hit 30 homeruns and steal 40 bases. He also became the first Major League under age 22 to hit leadoff homeruns in back-to-back games.
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