Two evenings ago, MLB Channel announced the Rookie of the Year in both leagues. R. Acuna Jr from the Atlanta Braves won in the National League. In the American League, the Angels' Sho Ohtani won decisively.
Which made NY Yankee fans apoplectic. Seriously.
A couple of months ago a pal who's a Yankee fan said Miguel Andujar was ROY (before season was even over). To which I responded, "no, Ohtani will win it". He was incredulous. But he shouldn't have been. But he was. Because he's a Yankees fan, and they are the worst fans. Sorry, the truth hurts.
Listen, Andujar had a great rookie season on a great baseball team (you have no idea how hard that is to type). But Sho Ohtani pitched and hit. Well. Yes, his pitching was curtailed by an injury, but when he did, he was really, really good. And hitting? Let's start here:
He had 5 less HRs than MA, in 240 less ABs. He had a higher OPS due to higher slugging and on base percentages. He performed at a higher level with two outs and runners in scoring position (.240 vs .423 average). He was basically a stud, just with a smaller sample.
But NYY fans think because he played in NPB that he's technically not a "rookie". He is. He's young. He could've stayed in Japan another couple of years and cashed in due to their service time rules. He did not. You'll also hear things about Andujar being the most "consistent hitter" and on a team that won 100 games. Great, Neither makes you ROY.
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