The 2019 Jackie Robinson Rookies of the Year have been announced – and there really were no surprises. In the National League, the honor went to Met’s 24-year-old 1B Pete Alonso, who put up a .260-53-120 line – topping MLB in home runs and setting a new rookie-season record. In the process, Alonso also led all 2019 rookies in games (161), RBI (120) and runs scored (103). Let’s face it, he simply outdistanced the competition. The Mets had good reason expect power from Alonso. In 2018, in 132 games at Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas, Alonso hit .285, with 36 home runs and 119 RBI.
Over in the American League, the honoree was the Astros’ 22-year-old DH/OF Yordan Alvarez – who didn’t make his MLB debut until June 9, and then went on to win AL Rookie of the Month honors in June, July and August. In just 87 games for Houston, Alvarez went .313-27-78. Side note: Before his call up, Alvarez was .343-23-71 in 56 games at Triple-A Round Rock. Alvarez, in fact, has raked at every level. In four minor league campaigns, he was .311-56-281 (250 games).
Baseball Roundtable notes the accomplishments of these two outstanding rookies as an introduction to BBRT’s All Rookie of the Year Lineup – which I anticipate may stir some debate. For example, despite his rookie-record 53 home runs, Alonso is not on the squad. However, the Yankees’ Aaron Judge, with 52 home runs as a rookie, is. Boston’s Fred Lynn (who won both the ROY and AL MVP awards in 1975) is not in this lineup, nor is Tony Oliva (who led the AL in batting average and hits in each of his first two seasons). In addition, since this a Rookie of the Year Lineup (and the award wasn’t established until 1947), such luminaries as Joe Jackson (.408-7-83, with 41 steals for the Naps in 1911), Joe DiMaggio (.323-29-125 for the Yankees in 1936), Ted Williams (.327-31-145 for the Red Sox in 1939), Russ Ford (26-6, 1.65 for the Yankees in 1910) and Grover Cleveland (Pete) Alexander (28-13, 2.57 for the Phillies in 1911) were not eligible.
So, as you read through my selections, join me in agreeing to disagree. (Note: I made my selections based not just on the raw stats, but how those numbers compared with their peers at the time.)
—–BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE ALL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR LINEUP—–
CATCHER … Mike Piazza, Dodgers, 1993
Who could have predicted that the 1,390th player selected in the 1988 MLB draft would not only be the 1993 Rookie of the Year, but would also earn a spot in the National Baseball Hall of Fame? I give you the All Rookie of the Year Lineup backstop – Mike Piazza, who was also an All Star and Silver Slugger winner in his 1993 rookie campaign.
In his 24-year-old’s rookie season, Piazza finished seventh in the AL in batting average; sixth in home runs and fourth in RBI.
Piazza made his professional debut as a 20-year-old in 1989. In his first two minor league seasons (Low A – High A), Piazza hit .254, with 14 home runs in 145 games. In 1991, he went .277-29-80 in 117 games at High A. Then in 1992, he turned on the jets, hitting .350-23-90 in 125 games at Double A and Triple A – earning a September call up to the Dodgers (.232-1-7 in 21 games). Then came his 1993 rookie season and the rest is history.
Piazza hit .308, with 427 home runs and 1,335 RBI in 16 MLB seasons (Dodgers, Marlins, Mets, Padres, A’s). He was a two-time All Star, won ten Silver Slugger awards, topped 20 home runs nine times, 100 RBI six times and produced a .300+ average in nine campaigns.
Also looked at: Carlton Fisk (.293-22-61, with a league-leading nine triples, for the 1972 Red Sox).
_____________________________________________________
FIRST BASE … Albert Pujols, Cardinals, 2001
A lot of scouts “fanned” on Albert Pujols, who wasn’t selected until the 13th round of the 1999 MLB draft – but was in the Redbirds’ everyday lineup by 2001.
In his first college baseball game, Albert Pujols (playing SS) hit a Grand Slam and turned an unassisted triple play.
Photo by todonitido 
In his age-21 rookie season, Pujols finished sixth in the NL in batting average, fifth in RBI and 11th in home runs. He was an All Star, a Silver Slugger honoree and turned in the first of ten straight “.300-30-100″ seasons. Pujols went on to a 19-season (still active in 2019) MLB career. He has collected 3,202 career hits (.300 average), 656 home runs and 2,075 RBI. Pujols is a ten-time All Star and six-time Silver Slugger. He has led his league in batting average once, hits once, runs scored six times, home runs three times, RBI once, total bases four times. A tribute to his stature at the plate – he also has led the league in intentional walks four times.
Also looked at: Pete Alonso (.260-53-129 for the 2019 Mets) and Mark McGwire (.289-49-118 for the 1987 A’s). While Alonso and McGwire both out-homered Pujols, I was swayed by the .329 average and the fact that he outpaced both Alonso and McGwire in runs scored and runs batted in.
Honorary Captain – Jackie Robinson
You have to have Jackie Robinson in here somewhere. After all, not only is he credited with breaking MLB’s modern-era line, he was MLB’s first-ever Rookie of the Year (and now the award bears his name). So, why isn’t he a starter in this All ROY Lineup? Robinson played his rookie season at first base – and his .297-12-48 line (with a league-leading 29 steals) fell short of the numbers put up by Albert Pujols. Still, Robinson’s historic rookie season is worthy of a spot here.
SECOND BASE … Gil McDougald, Yankees, 1951
Gil McDougald’s rookie season was one of his best in the major leagues. It was one of only two seasons in which he hit .300 or better (.306). He also set what would be career highs in home runs and total bases (14 each). Overall, the 23-year-old finished in the AL’s top ten in batting average (seventh); on-base percentage (ninth); slugging percentages (eighth); and stolen bases (fourth). (Note McDougald started 58 games at 3B and 49 at 2B). In three minor league seasons, McDougald hit .340 over 393 games – making the jump from Double A to the Yankees in 1951.
Gil McDougald was a versatile infielder. He topped the AL in double plays:
- By a third baseman in 1952;
- By a second baseman in 1955;
- By a shortstop in 1957.
McDougald played 10 MLB seasons, all with the Yankees. In 1,336 games, he collected 1,291 hits (.276), 112 home runs and 576 RBI. He was an All Star in five seasons. He also hit .237, with seven home runs, in 53 World Series games. (Oh, to be a Yankee in those days.)
Also looked at: Dustin Pedroia (.317-8-50, with seven steals for the 2007 Red Sox).
________________________________________________
THIRD BASE … Dick Allen, Phillies, 1964
Okay, if I had to guess what offensive categories Dick Allen led the league in as a rookie, triples would not likely come to mind. But he did indeed top the NL with nine triples (and 125 runs) as a 22-year-old freshman in 1964. In his rookie campaign, Allen was also first in the NL in total bases, fifth in in batting average, seventh in home runs, fourth in doubles (first in overall extra-base hits). For the sake of transparency, Allen also led the NL in errors and strikeouts.
Over a 15-season career (Phillies, Cards, Dodgers, White Sox, A’s), Allen hit .292, with 351 home runs and 1,119 RBI. He was a seven-time All Star and the 1972 AL Most Valuable Player. Allen led his league in home runs twice (topping 30 round trippers in six seasons), triples once (reaching double-digits in three-baggers four times), RBI once and total bases once.
Also looked at: Scott Rolen (.283-21-92, with 16 steals for the 1997 Phillies).
_________________________________________________
SHORTSTOP … Nomar Garciaparra, 1997 Red Sox
Nomar Garciaparra led the American league in hits, with 209, in his 1992 rookie season. The 23-year-old also led the league in triples, was second in runs scored, fourth in doubles and second in extra base hits. In the field, he led he led all AL shortstops in put outs and double plays turned, and was second in assists. Garciaparra was an All Star and Silver Slugger recipient in that first season.
Garciaparra played 14 MLB seasons (Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers, A’s). He was an All Star six times, won a pair of batting titles, hit over .300 eight times, scored 100+ runs in six seasons and drove in 100+ in four campaigns.
Nomar Garciaparra is one of only 13 major leaguers to hit two Grand Slams in a single game. He did it on May 10, 1999 in a Red Sox 12-4 win over the Mariners. In the Game, Garciaparra went three-for-four, with three runs scored and ten RBI.
Also looked at: Corey Seager (.308-26-72 for the 2016 Dodgers) and Hanley Ramirez (.292-17-59, with 119 runs and with 51 stolen bases for the 2006 Marlins).
________________________________________________
OUTFIELD …
Mike Trout … 2012 Angels
Mike Trout put up some astounding numbers as a 20-year-old rookie: .326 average (second in the NL); 30 home runs; and a league-topping 49 stolen bases (also a league-leading 129 runs scored). Trout, of course, has gone on to prove that rookie season was no fluke.
Photo by KA Sports Photos
At the close of the 2019 season (Trout’s ninth with the Angels), he had amassed 1,324 hits (in 1,199 games), 285 home runs, 903 runs scored, 752 RBI, and 200 steals. An eight-time All Star and two-time AL MVP, Trout ha also captured seven Silver Slugger awards and lead the league in runs scored four times, RBI once, stolen bases once, total bases once., walks three times on-base percentage four times
In the eight seasons in which he has played at least 100 games, Trout has been a mainstay on the MVP ballot – finishing first twice, second four times and fourth once – and is one of three finalists for this year’s AL MVP.
Ichiro Suzuki, 2004 Mariners
Photo by Laertes
Ichiro (Yes, like Cher and Elvis, he is known by one name.) is a unique rookie – coming to the major leagues after nine very successful seasons in Japan (a .353 batting average in 951 games). Major league pitching did not slow the 27-year-old rookie down. As an MLB rookie, Ichiro led the AL with a .350 average, 242 hits and 56 stolen bases. In that first year, he was an All Star, Rookie of the Year, Gold Glover, Silver Slugger recipient and the American League Most Valuable player. Clearly, a spot in this lineup as to be reserved for him.
After his rookie season, Ichiro pretty much continued on a hitting spree. In 19 MLB seasons (Mariners, Yankees, Marlins), he won two batting titles, set a new MLB record for hits in a season (262 in 2004) and led the league in hits seven times (getting 200+ hits in ten consecutive seasons). Now, the cherry on top of the sundae. He also earned ten Gold Gloves. Oh yes, maybe a little whipped cream with that cherry – he also stole 509 bases. I think I’ve found my leadoff hitter.
Ichiro retired with 3,089 MLB hits in 2,653 games (.311), 117 home runs, 1,420 runs scored, 780 RBI, 509 steals.
Aaron Judge, 2917 Yankees
Photo by KA Sports Photos
In his 2018 rookie season, the 25-year-old Aaron Judge hit .284 and led the AL with 52 home runs (at the time, the MLB rookie record and still the AL rookie mark) and 128 runs scored. He also drove in 114 runs and drew a league-leading 127 walks. Judge was an All Star and Silver Slugger recipient that season.
Since that rookie campaign, Judge has faced some injury issues and, at the close of the 2019 season, the two-time All Star had played in 396 games (all Yankees), putting up a .273 average, with 110 home runs and 246 RBI.
Also looked at: Walter Dropo (.322, 34 home runs and a league-leading 144 RBI for the 1950 Red Sox); Tony Oliva (league-leading .323 average, 109 runs, 217 hits and 43 doubles – plus 32 home runs and 94 RBI for the 1964 Twins); Fred Lynn; .331-21-105, plus a league-leading 103 runs and 47 doubles, a Gold Glove and the AL MVP Award for the 1975 Red Sox).
___________________________________________________
Starting Pitcher … Dwight Gooden, 1984 Mets
In his rookie campaign, 19-year-old Dwight Gooden went 17-9, 2.60 and fanned a rookie-record and league-leading 276 batters in 218 innings. He also tossed seven complete games, including three shutouts. That season, Gooden was first in the NL in Walks and Hits Per Nine Innings (WHIP), first in total strikeouts and strikeouts per nine innings, second in earned run average, second in strikeouts-to-walks ratio and third in wins. He was also an All Star and finished second in the Cy Young Award voting. Not bad for a teenager.
Dwight Gooden went 19-4, 2.50 at A-Ball and struck out 300 batters in 191 innings pitched as a 18-year-old in 1983 – jumping from A-Ball to the major league the following season.
Over a 16-season career (dampened by substance abuse issues), Gooden went 194-112, 3.51, with 2,293 strikeouts in 2,800 2/3 innings. (Gooden pitched for the Mets, Yankees, Indians, Rays and Astros). He was a four-time All Star and won 15 or more games in six seasons. He was the NL Cy Young Award winner in 1985, when he went 24.4, 1.53 and led the league in complete games (16), innings pitched (276 2/3) and strikeouts (268).
Also looked at: Herb Score (16-5, 2.88, with a league-leading – and then rookie record – 245 strikeouts in 227 1/3 innings for the Indians) and Fernando Valenzuela (who won the Cy Young Award as a rookie in the strike-shortened 1981 season – going 13-7, 2.48 for the Dodgers and leading the NL in starts with 25, complete games with 11, shutouts with eight, innings pitched at 192 1/3 and strikeouts with 180.
___________________________________________________
Relief Pitcher – Craig Kimbrel, 2011 Braves
Craig Kimbrel (at age 23) set the rookie record for saves with the Braves in 2011 – going 4-3, 2.10 with a league-leading 46 saves and 127 strikeouts in 77 innings.
Kimbrel (still active) has now pitched in ten MLB seasons (Braves, Red Sox, Padres, Cubs) and has a 31-23 record and 346 saves in 565 appearances. He has had four seasons of 40 or more saves (a high of 50 in 2013) and led the league in saves each time. He is a seven-time All Star and has fanned 898 batters in 553 1/3 innings.
Also looked at: Todd Worrell (9-10, 2.08, with a league-leading 36 saves for the 1986 Cardinals).
Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball-Almanac.com
BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE ON THE TOP 100 BASEBALL BLOG LIST
Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. To see the full list, click here.
I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT
Follow/Like Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here. More baseball commentary; blog post notifications; PRIZES.
Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
