Randy Arozarena Won Baseball Digest Rookie of the Year

November 11, 2021

Amid days of disappointment over the exclusion of the Rookie of the Year award for Avileño José Adolis García after his tremendous season with the Texas Rangers, the Cuban baseball community received with approval the news that Baseball Digest, a prestigious specialized magazine, awarded the Baseball Digest/eBay American League Rookie of the Year Prize to Pinareño Randy Arozarena.

Randy, who is also a finalist for the Rookie of the Year award given by the North American Baseball Writers' Association (BBWAA), had a spectacular and very complete performance. With 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases, he became the first rookie of his franchise and from Cuba to achieve a 20-20, something that, in general, only 10 other rookies in history have accomplished.

The Cuban led hits, batting average, OBP, OPS, and at-bats among all MLB rookies. Furthermore, in his League, he was the one who scored the most times and the one who hit the most doubles. These leadership statistics were more than enough for 5 of the 7 possible votes to go to him, leaving one per capita for Luis García and José Adolis García.

In the National League, the award went to Jonathan India, catcher for the Cincinnati Reds, who took 6 of 7 votes. The 25-year-old rookie led all Major League rookies in games played (150), runs scored (98), doubles (38), and walks (71). The other vote went to Marlins pitcher Trevor Rogers.

This is the 50th occasion on which the magazine awards this prize and it could very well be a prelude to what could happen with the much-desired award from the Writers' Association, where both India and Arozarena are heavy favorites to win.

The selection was made by 9 voters (8 panel members and editor Thom Henninger).