Jason Foster
MLB.com
If we take the results of our recent survey for Rookie of the Year as an indicator, we could be witnessing a historic event at the end of this year.
With a notable advantage in the voting by experts from MLB.com, Luis Gil of the Yankees and Paul Skenes of the Pirates are leading in their respective leagues. Along with them, other rookie pitchers like Shota Imanaga of the Cubs are making an impact, profiling this year to be only the fifth occasion in which two pitchers take the award in the same year, since the introduction of multiple winners in 1949.
Within this particularity, we are facing an even greater rarity: it would only be the third time that both Rookie of the Year awards are for starting pitchers. Let’s see the precedents where two pitchers were recognized as the best rookies in their leagues.
2011
AL: Jeremy Hellickson, starting pitcher, Rays
NL: Craig Kimbrel, closer, Braves
In 2011, Hellickson emerged as a key piece in the Rays’ starting rotation, accumulating a record of 13-10, a 2.95 ERA, and 117 strikeouts in 189 innings. He dominated the American League rookies in innings pitched, ERA, and batting average against (.210), finishing second in strikeouts. This performance ensured him the Rookie of the Year award with a large majority of votes, 73 percent.
On the other hand, in the National League, Kimbrel’s first full season anticipated his dominance in the following decade.
As a closer for the Braves, this right-handed power was an All-Star and led the National League with 46 saves, marking the beginning of four consecutive seasons leading the league or MLB in this category.
Additionally, he ranked third among National League rookie pitchers in strikeouts (127), despite pitching only 77 innings, and recorded a 2.10 ERA, which earned him a unanimous vote for the National League Rookie of the Year award.
1981
AL: Dave Righetti, starting pitcher, Yankees
NL: Fernando Valenzuela, starting pitcher, Dodgers
Righetti shone in 1981, during the strike-shortened season. In 15 starts with the Yankees, the left-hander recorded an 8-4 record and a notable 2.05 ERA, leading the Yankees’ starting pitchers and all eligible AL rookies in ERA. He also led AL rookies in strikeouts (89), WHIP (1.07), and batting average against (.196).
His leadership in effectiveness and a 7.6 K/9 ratio, the best on the team, made Righetti the obvious choice for the AL Rookie of the Year award.
Meanwhile, the “Fernandomania” led Valenzuela, 20 years old, to stand out in the National League, winning not only the Rookie of the Year award but also the Cy Young Award in the NL (the first rookie to do so) and finishing fifth in the Most Valuable Player voting.
And with reason, given his extraordinary start of the year: 8-0 with a 0.50 ERA, including five complete games in his first seven outings. Valenzuela closed with a 13-7 record, a 2.48 ERA, and led the NL with 180 strikeouts in 192 1/3 innings.
credits for the images of this post: Elnacional.com.do
