Over the years, the Red Sox have had some memorable rookie seasons that brought home hardware and sparked a season with some magic. It’s fair to wonder whether 2023 could follow the same script, with Masataka Yoshida currently leading the charge in the American League.
Despite not being a typical rookie since he’s coming over from the Nippon Professional Baseball league, he’s excelled in his first taste of MLB action. Across 99 games, he’s slashing .307/.364/.481/.845 with 12 HR, 25 2B, and 3 triples. Good for a 124 OPS+ along with 8 stolen bases in as many attempts.
There’s also some steam coming from Triston Casas as well, after a ridiculous month of July that put him on the map amongst the best young first baseman in baseball. He’s currently batting .248/.351/.475/.826 with 17 long balls, 16 doubles, and 41 RBI. While it’s not Yoshida levels of hitting, it’s not far too off, especially with Casas resembling your typical rookie of the year candidate.
The Rookie of the Year Award was first established in 1947 and for the first two years it existed, there wasn’t a distinction for the American League and National League. It was just given to the best overall rookie in the big leagues. Jackie Robinson was the very first winner after posting a slash line of .297/.383/.427/.810 with 12 HR, 31 2B, 5 3B, and 29 stolen bases.
In 2022, Julio Rodriguez brought home the AL Rookie of the Year Award after a monster season for the Mariners. He also finished 7th in MVP voting after posting a line of .284/.345/.509/.853 with 28 homers and 25 steals. Michael Harris II was the NL recipient with a line of .297/.339/.514/.853 with 19 homers and 20 stolen bases.
Along with Yoshida and Casas, it’ll be interesting to see if Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony end up this list one day. Here all 6 of the Red Sox Rookie of the Year winners throughout the franchise’s history.
3. Carlton Fisk – 1972
BOSTON, MA – MAY 26: Jarrod Saltalamacchia #39 of the Boston Red Sox shakes hands with Hall of Famer and former Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk, after Fisk threw out the ceremonial first pitch before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on May 26, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Gail Oskin/Getty Images)
A 21-year-old Carlton Fisk had his baseball career interrupted after joining the Army Reserve, but he came back with vengeance in 1972, winning Rookie of the Year, finishing 4th in MVP voting, and taking home a Gold Glove behind the plate. He ended up slashing .293/.370/.538/.909 with 22 homers, 28 doubles, and 9 triples. Fisk was the first unanimous AL Rookie of the Year and is still the last catcher to lead the AL in triples.
4. Fred Lynn – 1975
American baseball player Fred Lynn at bat for the Boston Red Sox, late 1970s. Lynn played for Boston from 1974 – 1980. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Fred Lynn owns the most memorable Rookie of the Year campaign in Red Sox history. On top of bringing home the Rookie of the Year award, he also won American League MVP, a Gold Glove, and helped lead the team to a World Series appearance against the Reds. It marked the start of 9 straight All-Star appearances.
5. Nomar Garciaparra – 1997
Nomar Garciaparra #5 of the Boston Red Sox looking on during the game against the Anaheim Angels at Edison Field in Anaheim, California on Aug. 5, 1999. The Angels defeated the Red Sox 8-0. (Tom Hauck/Allsport)
After a cameo in 1994, Nomar Garciaparra exploded onto the scene by winning Rookie of the Year and finishing 8th in MVP voting in 1997. He ended up socking 30 homers and batting .306/.342/.534/.875, which led to him winning the only Silver Slugger of his career. Jose Cruz and Jason Dickson finished behind him in Rookie of the Year voting, but neither received any first place votes.
6. Dustin Pedroia – 2007
BOSTON, MA – MAY 07: Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after throwing the runner out at first base in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds during the interleague game at Fenway Park on May 7, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Dustin Pedroia was the last Red Sox player to accomplish the feat and it’s arguably the most memorable storyline of the 2007 World Series championship. After a slow start in April that talking voices hammered constantly, he finished the season with a final line of .317/.380/.442/.823 with 8 homers and 39 doubles. Now, whenever a top prospect tends to struggle, Pedroia is the very first name that comes to mind when certain parts of the fanbase are asking for patience.
