A great first season in the MLB is more than just stats, it’s about the journey to the big leagues and the promise of something great. While there have been many who have unfortunately failed to live up to expectations, there have been countless others who have succeeded, and a handful who have transformed the game.
Last season gave us memorable performances by Paul Skenes (P), Jackson Merrill (OF), and Jackson Chourio (OF) who highlighted the 2024 rookie class.
As the game continues to evolve, new rookies will emerge with the goal of etching their names into the history books alongside the legends of the game. Much like the best casino games that captivate players with the thrill of winning the big jackpot, these impressive rookie seasons kept fans coming back, hoping to see something special each time they step into the park or turn on the TV.
1. Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels, 2012)
Although he played 40 games in 2011, 2012 was officially Mike Trout’s rookie season. In 139 games, the then twenty-year-old centerfielder hit .326/.399/.546 and hammered 30 home runs, and 83 RBI, while stealing 49 bases and tallying 129 runs. A combination of power, speed, and defensive talent, Trout ran away with the Rookie of the Year award and finished second in American League MVP voting.
An easy bet for the Hall of Fame, Trout is a three-time MVP and eleven-time All-Star; however, the one award that Trout has failed to capture during his illustrious career is a World Series.
2. Jackie Robinson (Brooklyn Dodgers, 1947)
His stats may not pop off the page like others on this list, but Jackie Robinson’s rookie season has more historical significance for what he did for the game as a person. As the first African-American to play in the MLB during the modern era, Robinson broke down barriers for many of the game’s best players and is the only player in the league to have his number retired by every team.
Earning the league’s first Rookie of the Year award with a batting average of .297 while notching 125 runs and 29 stolen bases, Robinson would go on to win a World Series in 1955, a National League MVP in 1949, and play in six All-Star Games.
3. Aaron Judge (New York Yankees, 2017)
Standing 6’7”, 280lbs, Aaron Judge towered over many of his fellow rookies not only physically but also statistically with a display of raw power that few rookies, if any have displayed in MLB history.
After teasing fans for 27 games in 2016, Judge blew the cover off the ball in 2017 hitting .284/.422/.627 splits, 114 RBI, and 128 runs while setting a home run rookie record with 52. An easy favorite for the AL Rookie of the Year since opening day, Judge finished second in MVP voting.
4. Ichiro Suzuki (Seattle Mariners, 2001)
A professional baseball player in Japan for nine years before making his MLB debut, Ichiro Suzuki quickly became a fan favorite in the Northwest corner of the United States. As just the second player to capture both the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year award (Fred Lynn did it in 1971 with the Boston Red Sox), Ichiro impacted the game on both sides of the plate.
Leading the league in hits, a feat he repeated six more times, Ichiro’s 242 hits broke Joe Jackson’s rookie record (1911) of 233. Adding 56 stolen bases and a .350 batting average, Ichiro helped the Mariners tie the MLB record for most wins in a single season. Ichiro’s slap-hitting style and speed on the bases proved that the small ball game can be just as impactful as the more popular power game.
5. Fernando Valenzuela (Los Angeles Dodgers, 1981)
Raiders of the Lost Ark may have dominated the silver screen, but the Los Angeles Dodgers rookie pitcher was also making a name for himself in Hollywood in 1981. “Fernandomania” took over Los Angeles as the 20-year-old left-handed pitcher from Mexico began his rookie season pitching five straight shutouts.
Finishing his first year with a 13-7 regular season record along with a 2.48 ERA and 180 strikeouts, Valenzuela also posted a 3-1 playoff record helping the Dodgers win the 1981 World Series. A cultural icon among the Hispanic baseball market, Valenzuela won both the NL Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards.
