40 pitchers have won the Rookie of the Year in Major League Baseball since the start of the award’s distribution since 1947.
76 years of the Rookie of the Year award and 40 pitchers have won that coveted award since the de-unification of the award starting back in 1949 in which each league gave out their own rookie of the year awards. However, the time has come for a new rookie of the year award. Pitchers though should have their own rookie of the year award because there are multiple rookie pitchers (whether starter or reliever) that could have wonderful seasons yet not win the award.
I am reminded of Rodrigo Lopez, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, who managed to win 15 games with a 3.57 ERA and 136 strikeouts for the 2002 Baltimore Orioles. While, he was hailed as a deserving player, he was passed over for Eric Hinske (.279 Average, 24 Homeruns, and 84 Runs Batted In), to which many in the media very much questioned the pick due to Hinske’s very poor personality and attitude.
This year, Tanner Bibee of the Cleveland Guardians is up for the Rookie of the Year, and while his numbers were great, I don’t particularly believe it will be enough to outlast the likes of Gunnar Henderson and Tristan Casas. However, I personally believe that it is time for Major League Baseball to create a Rookie of the Year that is strictly for pitching prowess whether starting or in relief. It’s long overdue and time for it. If the National Football League can have an offensive and defensive rookie of the year, then Major League Baseball can create another rookie award for pitchers.
It’s high time to do so because there are many rookie relievers and pitchers who are deserving of the award. Major League Baseball should consider it.
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