PHOENIX — Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson and Arizona’s Corbin Carroll exemplified the kind of dynamic players that Major League Baseball had hoped for when it modified its rules to promote athleticism.
The talented young athletes were recognized on Monday, unanimously winning the Rookie of the Year awards in the sport.
Henderson clinched the American League honor, and Carroll secured the National League award, showcasing power, speed, and defensive prowess that helped propel their teams to the playoffs just two years after 110-loss seasons.
MLB implemented several rule changes during the offseason, including a pitch clock, bans on extreme infield defensive shifts, and restrictions on the number of times a pitcher can disengage from the rubber. Henderson and Carroll were among the young players who capitalized on the emphasis on athleticism, delivering value across the field.
While some MLB players were hesitant about the rule changes, Carroll and Henderson, who had experience with them in the minors, welcomed the adjustments.
“My perspective, having played with them, was just let people see,” Carroll said. “I think people are going to enjoy it. I think this athletic brand of baseball is going to be good for the game. And it was.”
This marked just the fifth time that both the AL and NL selections were unanimous, the first instance since the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger in 2017.
The 22-year-old Henderson shared his time between third base and shortstop, excelling defensively at both positions. He also posted a .255 batting average with 28 home runs, 82 RBIs, 100 runs, 29 doubles, and 10 stolen bases. His numbers bore a striking resemblance to Orioles Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr.’s first full season, during which he also played shortstop and won the award in 1982.
“I just tried to go out there and play as hard as I can,” Henderson said. “And I felt like that showed.”
Henderson received all 30 first-place votes and 150 points. Cleveland pitcher Tanner Bibee secured the second spot with 20 second-place votes and 67 points, while Boston slugger Triston Casas took the third position with 25 points.
Carroll’s season culminated in a surprise appearance in the World Series, where the Diamondbacks succumbed to the Rangers in five games. The 23-year-old registered a .285 batting average with 25 homers and 54 stolen bases during the regular season, earning a spot on the All-Star team and becoming the first rookie to join the 25-50 club.
The Diamondbacks had been the only current team without a Rookie of the Year winner. Carroll was already earmarked as a future star by the organization even before the season, sealing a $111 million, eight-year deal during spring training.
Mets pitcher Kodai Senga secured the second spot with 22 second-place votes and 71 points, while Dodgers outfielder James Outman, Colorado slugger Nolan Jones, and Cincinnati infielder Matt McLain completed the top five.
Both Henderson and Carroll earned $750,000 from the pre-arbitration bonus pool for their victories, while Bibee and Senga each received $500,000 for finishing in second place.
The Baseball Writers’ Association of American votes on its awards before the postseason begins.
Henderson and Carroll were part of an outstanding MLB rookie class, particularly for hitters. According to FanGraphs data, the advanced metric Wins Above Replacement total for all rookie hitters in 2023 (68.5) was the second best since 1900, trailing only the 2015 group (75.1) headlined by Kris Bryant, Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, and others.
The Orioles and D-backs both receive an extra selection after the first round of July’s amateur draft, as part of the prospect promotion incentive added to the collective bargaining agreement that began last year. The provision was included to dissuade teams from delaying arbitration and free-agent eligibility.
Bibee, 24, finished the season with a 10-4 record and a 2.98 ERA over 25 starts.
The 23-year-old Casas overcame a slow start to the season, hitting .263 with 24 homers. His performance notably improved after the All-Star break, with a .317 batting average, 15 homers, and 38 RBIs, offering the Red Sox hope of having a future star.
Outman batted .248 with 23 homers and 16 stolen bases while playing center field for the NL West champion Dodgers. The 30-year-old Senga, who had pitched in Japan for 11 seasons before coming to MLB, recorded a 12-7 record with a 2.98 ERA, providing a bright spot in a challenging season for the Mets.
WealthNationUSA perspective: Henderson and Carroll’s unanimous Rookie of the Year selections serve as a testament to the impact of athleticism and dynamic play in Major League Baseball. Their achievements underscore the effectiveness of MLB’s rule changes in fostering a more athletic brand of baseball. As the sport continues to evolve, the success of these young stars reflects a promising future for the game, emphasizing the value of speed, power, and defensive prowess.
