The Rookie of the Year Award is a prestigious accolade in Major League Baseball. This year, both the National League (NL) and American League (AL) winners were unanimous selections, which is a rare feat. Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll and Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson were awarded the honor, making them only the fifth pair of unanimous winners in the award’s history. Let’s delve into their impressive performances and the impact of their victories.
Carroll and Henderson started their rookie seasons in the major leagues, an indication of their immense talent and potential. Both players were also ranked among the top 100 prospects in baseball, further highlighting their promising futures. As a result of this early success, their respective teams will receive an additional first-round pick in the 2024 draft, thanks to the Prospect Promotion Incentive negotiated by the players’ union in collective-bargaining agreements. This incentive aims to discourage service-time manipulation, a practice that has drawn criticism in recent years.
Corbin Carroll, at just 23 years old, made a significant impact in the NL. He is expected to garner attention in the Most Valuable Player (MVP) voting due to his stellar performance. Carroll boasted an impressive slash line of .285/.362/.506 along with 25 home runs and 54 stolen bases, the second-highest in the major leagues behind NL MVP front-runner Ronald Acuña. With 6.0 FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement (WAR), Carroll’s rookie season ranks among the top 10 most productive in the last 50 years. Not surprisingly, the Diamondbacks secured his future by signing him to an eight-year, $111 million contract during spring training after his standout debut in the previous season. Despite their loss in the World Series, Carroll’s contributions were crucial as the Diamondbacks made their first appearance in over two decades.
Gunnar Henderson, the 22-year-old shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles, played a pivotal role in leading his team to the AL East title. He showcased a combination of power and smooth defense, earning him the distinction of being the Orioles’ first Rookie of the Year since Gregg Olson in 1989. Henderson’s offensive prowess was evident in his 28 home runs, driving in 82 runs, and scoring 100 runs. His performance stands out among shortstops, with only Corey Seager and Francisco Lindor outpacing him in the home run department. The Orioles, with Henderson’s contributions, finished the season with an impressive record of 101 wins and 61 losses.
While Carroll and Henderson secured the top spots, it’s essential to acknowledge the talent displayed by the runners-up in both leagues. In the AL, Cleveland right-hander Tanner Bibee finished second, recording a full year of service time despite making his debut in late April. Bibee’s 2.98 ERA, one of the lowest among AL starters with at least 140 innings pitched, contributed to an impressive season for the Guardians. Boston first baseman Triston Casas claimed the third spot with his 24 home runs and .367 on-base percentage.
In the NL, New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga placed second, showcasing his skills after transitioning from the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in Nippon Professional Baseball to Major League Baseball. James Outman, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ centerfielder, claimed third place with his well-rounded performance, hitting .248/.353/.437 with 23 home runs, 70 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases.
The distinction of unanimous selections in both leagues has only occurred five times before this year. The other seasons with unanimous Rookie of the Year winners were 2017 (Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger), 1997 (Nomar Garciaparra and Scott Rolen), 1993 (Tim Salmon and Mike Piazza), and 1987 (Mark McGwire and Benito Santiago). Joining this exclusive group is a testament to the caliber of Carroll and Henderson’s performances, and they are undoubtedly in good company.
As winners of the Rookie of the Year Award, Carroll and Henderson will receive a bonus of $750,000 from the pre-arbitration bonus pool established in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). It serves as recognition for their outstanding contributions in their debut seasons. Bibee and Senga, the runners-up, will also receive a substantial bonus of $500,000 each.
The unanimous selection of Corbin Carroll and Gunnar Henderson as Rookies of the Year signifies a bright future for both players and their clubs. With Carroll poised to finish high in the NL MVP voting and Henderson leading the Orioles to a successful season, fans can expect more impressive performances in the years to come. As they continue to develop their skills and make further contributions, Carroll and Henderson will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the game of baseball.
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