SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.–With a little bit of luck and a lesser rookie class, Giants pitcher Dereck Rodríguez could have brought home Rookie of the Year honors in 2018.
But thanks to wunderkind National League East outfielders Ronald Acuña, Jr. and Juan Soto plus a late run of dominance from Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler, Rodríguez didn’t even receive a single third place vote.
Still, Rodríguez’s rookie year turned heads in San Francisco and beyond.
His 2.81 ERA was the lowest by a Giants rookie since 1952 and his 2.4 wins above replacement tied Madison Bumgarner for the team lead.