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The Longoria list: Top 5 Rays' rookies
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Longo is 2008 AL Rookie of the Year
(ESPN.com)
Today, Evan Longoria became the first unanimous winner of the American League Rookie of the Year Award since Nomar Garciaparra in 1997. In honor of Longoria winning the award for the first time in Rays’ history, let’s take a trip down memory lane and look at the top five rookie seasons ever put together by a Tampa Bay player.
You might want to grab a box of tissues. Reliving these glorious seasons might bring a tear to your eyes.
5. Rocco Baldelli, 2003
In a year when Aubrey Huff was absolutely dynamite for the Rays, Rocco burst onto the scene and finished second on the team in hits, runs, RBI, batting average, and stolen bases. Baldelli came up as a potential five-tool star. He could obviously hit for average and had some pop, stole 27 bases, played a great center field and led the team with 14 outfield assists. The thing I remember most about Rocco in his rookie season was his combination of speed and hustle. He was a threat to beat out routine grounders to second base. Baldelli finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting which was won by Angel Berroa. I think every Rays fan wants to see Rocco back at the Trop in 2009, even if it’s only as a part time player again.
In a year when Aubrey Huff was absolutely dynamite for the Rays, Rocco burst onto the scene and finished second on the team in hits, runs, RBI, batting average, and stolen bases. Baldelli came up as a potential five-tool star. He could obviously hit for average and had some pop, stole 27 bases, played a great center field and led the team with 14 outfield assists. The thing I remember most about Rocco in his rookie season was his combination of speed and hustle. He was a threat to beat out routine grounders to second base. Baldelli finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting which was won by Angel Berroa. I think every Rays fan wants to see Rocco back at the Trop in 2009, even if it’s only as a part time player again.
4. Rolando Arrojo, 1998
Arrojo came over from Cuba and signed with the Rays in the 1997 off-season and became a 29 year-old rookie for the original 1998 Devil Rays. Arrojo finished second in Rookie of the Year balloting to Ben Grieve, made the All-Star team and won more games that year than any other two Rays’ starters combined. As a matter of fact, Arrojo’s 14 wins in ’98 are still tied for the single-season franchise record.
3. Jonny Gomes, 2005
Yes, Jonny Gomes was actually good once. Gomes looked like he would be a reliable right-handed bat in the middle of the Rays’ lineup for a number of years after that breakout rookie season. Things obviously didn’t work out that way, but Jonny still led the team in punches landed in the 2008 season. Gomes hit 21 homers in only 348 at-bats in that rookie season and amazingly hit six triples to finish seventh in the league. J.G. finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting, losing to Huston Street. If we don’t see Jonny back with the Rays next year, and I have a strong feeling we won’t, we will definitely miss the entertainment value and wish him the best of luck.
2. Delmon Young, 2007
Young came to the big leagues with a lot of hype in 2007. Most number one overall draft picks usually do. Young met expectations though, finishing second to Dustin Pedroia in the Rookie of the Year vote and leading the team in hits, doubles, and outfield assists. Another young Devil Ray with five-tool potential, Delmon was traded to Minnesota with Brendan Harris for Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett. The deal has worked out wonderfully so far for the Rays, with Garza and Bartlett becoming key components in the Rays’ AL Championship season. Young needs to work on his plate discipline if he ever wants to fulfill his entire potential.
1. Evan Longoria, 2008
Longoria pretty much became an instant sensation upon hitting the bigs this season. Evan Almighty played a great third base all season, and became the right-handed slugger to bring thunder to the middle of the Rays’ lineup. Longoria led the team in slugging, and finished second in homers and RBI. Longoria’s impact was a crucial element in the Rays AL East championship run. He followed up his breakout regular season by smashing a rookie-record six postseason homers. A lot of Rookie of the Year winners don’t end up panning out (Pat Listach, Bob Hamelin) but Longoria looks like he’ll be a superstar for years to come. The Rays are banking on it.
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