MLB Rookie of the Year 2021: Rays’ Randy Arozarena takes AL title; Reds’ Jonathan India Wins NL

The Baseball Writers Association of America announced the winners of the MLB 2021 Rookie of the Year Award on Monday night, kicking off Major League Baseball’s awards week. This year’s winner is Cincinnati Reds second warrior Jonathan India in the National League and Tampa Bay Rays midfielder Randy Arozarena in the American League.

India prevails Miami Marlins lefthander Trevor Rogers and St. Louis Cardinals midfielder Dylan Carlson by getting 29 out of 30 votes in first place. (You can see the full breakdown by clicking here.) India is the first member of the Reds to win the Rookie of the Year Award since right-handed clipper Scott Williamson did so in 1999.

India, fifth pick in the 2018 draft, hit .269 / .376 / .459 (113 OPS+) with 21 home runs, 34 doubles and 12 base steals in 15 tries in 150 games for the Reds. His contributions are such that Baseball Reference estimates he’s worth 3.9 Wins Over Substitution, the highest among NL rookies. (Rogers, who missed out on visiting his parents after they fell ill with COVID-19, returned Monday.)

Arozarena, meanwhile, excels Houston Astros right-handed person Luis Garcia and teammates Wander Franco. He received 22 out of 30 votes in first place, with five different players receiving votes in first place. (You can see the full breakdown by clicking here.) He is the first Rays player to win the award since Wil Myers back in 2013.

Arozarena, who dramatically boosted his stock with a historic performance in the 2020 season, beat .274 / .356 / .459 (131 OPS+) with 20 home runs, 32 hits doubles and 20 steals (over 30 tries) in the regular season. His contributions have an estimated value of 4.1 Wins Over Substitution, according to the Baseball Reference. That happens to be the highest score out of all MLB rookies.

On Tuesday night, BBWAA will announce the winners of this year’s Manager of the Year Awards. Kevin Cash (Tia), Dusty Baker (Astros) and Scott Servais (Mariners) are the finalists in AL, while NL will be decided between Gabe Kapler (Giant), Craig Counsel (Brewer), and Mike Shildt (who was fired by the Cardinals).