Mariners’ Julio Rodríguez named best rookie in American League by peers

The players have had their say and in their eyes, Julio Rodríguez turned in the top performance by an American League rookie in 2022.

Mariners’ Dipoto: Julio Rodríguez in Year 2, raising team batting average

The 21-year-old was announced as a Players Choice Award winner Friday, besting Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman and Kansas City Royals infielder Bobby Witt Jr. for American League Outstanding Rookie as voted on by his peers.

"Since I got into the big leagues, the thought in my head is 'how do I help the team win?'" – @jrodshow44
⁰🏆 Congratulations 2022 Players Choice Awards AL Outstanding Rookie… JULIO RODRIGUEZ 🏆
⁰@Mariners | #PCA2022 pic.twitter.com/nfjL9wFk3x

— MLBPA (@MLBPA) November 4, 2022

Rodriguez led all rookies in home runs (28), total bases (260), slugging percentage (.509), OPS (.853), and wRC+ (146). With 28 home runs and 25 stolen bases the Mariner centerfielder joined Chris Young (2007) and Mike Trout (2012) as the third rookie to put up a 25/25 season.

For his efforts this season Rodríguez has picked up a number of Rookie of the Year honors by publications including Baseball America and the Sporting News. He was also a finalist for a Rawlings Gold Glove Award.

The “official” MLB award, the BBWAA Rookie of the Year honor, has yet to be announced. Should Rodríguez win, under the new CBA he will receive $750,000 from the new bonus pool set aside for club control players and the Mariners will be awarded an extra 2023 draft pick following the end of the first round.

Finalists will be revealed Nov. 7 with the winners announced on an hour-long show Nov. 14 on the MLB Network.

More Mariners coverage from Seattle Sports: 

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• Drayer: How the M’s ‘step back’ after 2018 got them here
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