Rays’ Arozarena, Reds’ India take rookie honors
It didn’t feel like Randy Arozarena was a rookie this season.
Tampa Bay’s speedy and powerful outfielder certainly didn’t play like one, either.
Arozarena won AL Rookie of the Year honors with a superb follow-up to his 2020 postseason heroics while Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India earned NL Rookie of the Year on Monday night.
If it didn’t seem like this wasn’t Arozarena’s first year, there’s a reason. The 26-year-old Cuban provided a stunning lift for the Rays during the 2020 postseason with 10 homers in 18 games during their run to the World Series.
But Arozarena didn’t play enough during the 2020 regular season to lose his rookie status so he was eligible for the award this year. He followed up his postseason breakout with an excellent season in 2021, finishing with a .274 average, 32 doubles, 20 homers and 69 RBI while adding excellent defense, helping the Rays return to the postseason.
Arozarena earned 22 of 30 first-place votes in balloting by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, beating out Houston righthander Luis Garcia and Tampa Bay infielder Wander Franco.
Arozarena is Tampa Bay’s first rookie of the year since outfielder Wil Myers in 2013.
The 20-year-old Franco has the label as one of MLB’s future stars and his performance in 2021 did nothing to discourage that billing. The infielder hit .288 with seven homers and 39 homers while playing less than half the season.
The 24-year-old Garcia was instrumental in the Astros’ run to the World Series this season. He had an 11-8 record with a 3.48 ERA and struck out 167 batters over 155 1⁄3 innings.
India, a Coral Springs native and former University of Florida standout, won the NL award eight months after earning the team’s second base job during spring training and never letting it go during a stellar first season.
The 24-year-old India received 29 of 30 firstplace votes, beating Marlins left-handed pitcher Trevor Rogers and St. Louis outfielder Dylan Carlson.
India was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 draft and played third base in college at Florida, but he’s found a home at second base in the big leagues and become a cornerstone for the Reds’ future. His quick impact in the big leagues was somewhat surprising considering he had just 111 atbats above Class A before 2021.
He was the Reds’ first rookie of the year winner since pitcher Scott Williamson in 1999.
The 6-foot, 200-pound India was an all-around threat — particularly during the second half of the season — often batting leadoff and finishing with a .269 average, 34 doubles, 21 homers, 69 RBI and 12 stolen bases. He also showed good discipline at the plate, coaxing 71 walks to finish with a .376 on-base percentage, and scored 98 runs.
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Obituary: Julio Lugo, who played for seven teams in a 12-year major league career and was the shortstop for Boston’s 2007 World Series championship team, has died, the Red Sox said. He was 45. ESPN reported that the cause of death was presumed to be a heart attack, citing Lugo’s family. Lugo batted .269 with 80 homers and 475 RBIs from 2000-11 with the Astros, Devil Rays, Red Sox, Cardinals, Orioles and Braves. He batted .385 in the 2007 World Series sweep of the Rockies.
Yankees: Former
Mets manager Luis Rojas was hired as third base coach, a month after he lost his job with the crosstown rivals. Rojas managed the Mets for the past two seasons. The Mets declined their 2022 option for him after the team finished third in the NL East at 77-85. Rojas will take the spot of Phil Nevin, who had been the Yankees’ third base coach since the 2018 season.
Braves: The World Series champs added depth at catcher by signing Manny Pina to a twoyear, $8 million contract. Pina, 34, hit a career-best 13 home runs in 75 games with Milwaukee this past season, his sixth with Brewers.
Tigers: Pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez agreed to a $77 million, five-year contract. He was 13-8 with a 4.74 ERA in 31 starts and one relief appearance for Boston in 2021.