Julio Rodriguez, the Mariners’ dynamic young center fielder, has been named the American League Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
Julio Rodriguez, the Seattle Mariners’ dynamic young center fielder, was named the American League Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America on Monday, topping Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman and Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan.
Rodriguez received 29 of 30 first-place votes and one second for 148 points from a Baseball Writers’ Association of America panel. Rutschman came in second with one first-place vote, 18 second-place votes and nine thirds. Kwan came in third with Royals infielder Bobby Witt Jr., Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena and Mariners pitcher George Kirby also receiving votes.
Rodriguez electrified the city of Seattle and captivated an entire nation of baseball fans with his youthful exuberance, pronounced swagger and wide-ranging talent. At 21, he slashed .284/.345/.509 with 28 home runs, 25 stolen bases and 25 doubles while propelling the Mariners to their first postseason berth since 2001, snapping the longest active drought among the four major North American professional sports.
Along the way, Rodriguez consistently came through in big spots, dazzling with his defense and power and speed.
