Mariners star outfielder Julio Rodriguez wins AL Rookie of the Year

Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez won American League Rookie of the Year honors Monday afternoon, rewarding the 21-year-old All-Star’s momentous debut season.

Rodriguez was more than the league’s best rookie — he was one of the more valuable players in the sport in 2022.

Among AL outfielders, Rodriguez ranked third in Baseball Reference’s Wins Above Replacement metric (6.0), slugging percentage (.509), and OPS (.853). He was tied for third among that group with 25 stolen bases.

In 132 games, Rodriguez slashed .284/.345/.853 with 84 runs, 75 RBI and 40 walks. He’s the only player in MLB history to hit 15 home runs, steal 20 bases, and tally 50 RBI through 90 career games.

The award is Rodriguez’s most prominent accomplishment amid an early and still-blossoming rise to baseball’s elite.

Already named Baseball America’s Major League Rookie of the Year, Sporting News’ AL Rookie of the Year, and Players Choice Awards’ AL Outstanding Rookie for his 2022 campaign, the vote to name Rodriguez AL Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America was nearly unanimous.

It was inevitable.

Alvin Davis, inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame in 1997, broke the news on MLB Network. “Mr. Mariner” was Seattle’s first-ever AL Rookie of the Year in 1984.

Rodriguez gleamed with excitement as Davis read his name. Several members of his family, in the room with the award winner, erupted with cheer.

“Everybody that was in that room, somehow, someway, played a big part into me being here talking to you guys,” Rodriguez told reporters after Monday’s announcement. “If I didn’t have them, it wouldn’t be the same.”

There was nothing he couldn’t do. Rodriguez ranked in Baseball Savant’s 97th percentile in sprint speed, and 95th percentile in hard-hit percentage. Angels superstar Mike Trout was the only other player to surpass the 95th percentile in both statistics last season.

Rodriguez, at first, was named Seattle’s only All-Star in 2022 and baseball’s only rookie. Mariners first baseman Ty France later joined him as an injury replacement.

But Rodriguez’s ascension to national stardom began in July with a runner-up finish to Padres outfielder Juan Soto at MLB’s Home Run Derby. Soto won a title-determining final round, but Rodriguez crushed an event-best 81 homers into Dodger Stadium’s outfield seats in Los Angeles. Only Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has hit more in a single derby (91 in 2019).

“This (season) served as a learning experience,” Rodriguez said. “I’m happy that I went through everything I went through in 2022, because it’s definitely going to build up a good foundation for 2023.”

The Mariners host next year’s All-Star festivities at T-Mobile Park. It’s where Rodriguez could ignite a home crowd with a firework-like display of power and aim for a derby title, if he so chooses to participate.

New York’s Aaron Judge — who smacked an AL-record 62 homers last season — and Trout joined Rodriguez as AL Silver Slugger outfield awardees.

He’s already in elite company.

Rodriguez is the fifth player in team history to win AL Rookie of the Year. Last week, Rodriguez became the second Mariners rookie (Ichiro Suzuki in 2001) to win a Silver Slugger Award. He’s the seven player in club history to be honored. At 21 years old, he’s tied with Ken Griffey Jr. as the second-youngest Mariner to win the award — only Alex Rodriguez was younger at age 20 in 1996.

It took only 108 career games before Seattle offered Rodriguez a mammoth contract extension — a deal that guarantees him at least $210 million over a dozen seasons with the club. Team options could inflate the figures up to 18 years and $470 million.

“He’s going to be a superstar,” now-free agent Mitch Haniger said of his outfield neighbor in August. “He already is a superstar. What more can you ask for?”

Mariners manager Scott Servais is a finalist for the BBWAA’s AL Manager of the Year Award, alongside Cleveland’s Terry Francona and Baltimore’s Brandon Hyde. Both AL and NL Manager of the Year Award winners will be announced at 3 p.m. (Pacific) Tuesday on MLB Network.

Atlanta outfielder Michael Harris II won NL Rookie of the Year. The 21-year-old slashed .297/.339/.514 with 123 hits, 19 home runs, 64 RBI, and 20 stolen bases across 114 games.

MARINERS ANNOUNCE 2023 HOME GAME TIMES

On Monday afternoon, Seattle announced first pitch times for all 81 home games in 2023. Most night games are scheduled to begin at 6:40 p.m.

The Mariners host reigning AL Central-champion Cleveland on March 30, part of a seven-game homestand to open the campaign. That first pitch — as are all Friday night games — is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

Seattle’s full 2023 schedule can be found here.

“We’ve got 2023 now. I feel like we’ve just to keep on going,” Rodriguez said. “Now we’ve got to get ready for next season, improve this offseason, and get ready for the challenge again.”