Rays’ rookie Wander Franco had reached base safely in 43 consecutive games during the regular season. His 43-game on-base streak tied with Frank Robinson in 1956 for the longest in AL/NL history by a player 20 years old or younger. In addition, there are several rookies who had a pretty good 2021 season and they were playing like Wander Franco, who got on-base frequently.
Jonathan India was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the first round of the 2018 draft and he made an instant impact in his first season in the majors in 2021. The Reds’ second baseman had a .269 batting average and a .376 on-base percentage in the 2021 season. At the same time, India had 143 hits and he drew 71 walks, leading among the MLB rookies. India is surely a strong candidate for the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year award.
In the 2019 season, Frank Schwindel had only 1 hit in 15 at-bats. He didn’t have any plate appearances last season. This season, he hit .150/.150/.350 with 1 home run and 3 RBI with the A’s. However, after the Cubs claimed him off waivers, Frank Schwindel showed his capability to be a good hitter. He batted .342 and posted a .389 on-base percentage in the Cubs uniform. Moreover, he crushed 14 home runs over 64 games this season.
The Reds selected Tyler Stephen in the first round of the 2015 draft and his performance showed that the Reds made a good choice. Stephen slashed .286/.366/.431 with 10 home runs and 45 RBI in 132 games this season, additionally, he drew 41 walks.
It’s not an easy season for the Orioles since they lost more than 100 games and it is not easy for Ramon Urias, either. He was sent to Triple-A twice and he’s placed on the injured list on September 22. In the 2021 season, Ramon Urias posted a .279 batting average and owned a .361 on-base percentage in 85 games played.
In addition, Randy Arozarena had a great postseason last year and he is still eligible for the 2021 AL Rookie of the Year award. He slashed .274/.356/.459 with 20 home runs and 69 RBI during the regular season. Meanwhile, he had 145 hits, leading among qualified rookies. Will Arozarena have a great postseason again?
Jake Fraley didn’t have too many opportunities over the last two seasons. He was hitting .150/.171/.200 in 12 games in 2019 and last season, he batted .154/.241/.269 over 7 games. This season, Fraley hit .210/.352/.369 with 9 home runs and 36 RBI in 78 games. Furthermore, Fraley drew 46 walks and he crushed his first career home run on June 3.
So, what’s Wander Franco’s on-base percentage? In his first season, he owned a .347 on-base percentage, 7th among qualified rookies. Franco had 81 hits and drew 24 walks in 70 games. In the meantime, two rookies from the Cardinals, Edmundo Sosa and Dylan Carlson, each owned an over .340 OBP.
The regular season is officially over and we have seen several good rookies that played well in the 2021 season. Jonathan India finished his first season in the big league with a great on-base percentage, but the Reds are eliminated from the playoffs. Wander Franco tied the on-base streak record. Randy Arozarena’s performance is good. It will be interesting to see how Franco and Arozarena will perform in the 2021 postseason.
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