Japanese pitcher Yamamoto (26, Los Angeles Dodgers), who made a disappointing debut with five runs in an inning in Korea, was still ranked first in the NL Rookie of the Year. Lee Jung-hoo (26, San Francisco Giants), who has a batting average of .414 in the exhibition game, also won the vote, but Yamamoto is still solidifying his position as a strong candidate.
The Major League Baseball’s official website “MLB.com ” conducted a survey of 88 employees on the 25th (Korea Standard Time) and predicted MVP, Cy Young Award, Rookie of the Year, and Coach Award for each league in the 2024 season.
The NL Rookie of the Year award went to Yamamoto. Yamamoto made his nightmarish debut in the opening second game against the San Diego Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 21st, collapsing from his starting lineup to an inning of four hits, one walk, one walk, two strikeouts and five runs lost. He was shaken by extreme difficulties in controlling his fastballs and breaking balls.
In the exhibition game, he repeatedly pitched unstablely with an 8.38 ERA and an 8.357 WHIP of 1.97 in three games, but he failed to make his debut and started with an ERA of 45.00. Doubts are growing as various reasons are mentioned, ranging from the problem of adapting to the Major League’s official ball, which has a slippery surface, low seams and wide, to exposure to pitching habits.
However, expectations are still high for Yamamoto, who received the highest-ever Major League pitcher record with 12 years and 325 million dollars. MLB.com said, “Yamamoto has not had a smooth start to his Major League career with five runs in an inning in the Seoul Series. However, considering his skills and record in Japan, voters expect him to win the NL Rookie of the Year competition.”
“Yamamoto has won the Sawamura Award, equivalent to the Cy Young Award in Japanese pro baseball, and the Pacific League MVP for three consecutive years. He is now tying with the records of Ichiro Suzuki (1994-1996) and Hisashi Yamada (1976-1978). Yamamoto has just arrived in the Major League, but according to the preseason voting results, he will add a few more to the already full shelf of trophies.”
Following Yamamoto, Jackson Churio (Millywood Brewers), Paul Skins (Pittsburgh Pirates), Lee Jung-hoo, Jackson Merrill (San Diego), Kyle Harrison (San Francisco), Shota Imana, Michael Busch (Chicago Cubs), James Wood (Washington Nationals), Jared Jones (Pittsburgh), and Meisin Win (St. Louis Cardinals) received expected votes for the NL Rookie of the Year.
Not as much as Yamamoto, Lee also came to the big leagues after receiving special treatment. Expectations are high for Lee, who received the best treatment among Asian hitters who posted 113 million dollars for six years. He had to sit out of the exhibition games due to flank or hamstring, but he is adjusting smoothly with a batting average of 414 percent (12 hits in 29 times at bat), one homer, five RBIs, four walks, three strikeouts and two steals in 11 games, and a .485 slugging rate of .586 OPS 1.071. As much as Lee Jeong-Hura Yamamoto, who has been confirmed as the center fielder for the first batter, he has an advantageous condition as a promising candidate for the Rookie of the Year award in that he can be guaranteed the opportunity.
Meanwhile, shortstop Jackson Holiday (Baltimore Orioles) was selected as the top contender for the Rookie of the Year award in the American League. Holliday, a right-handed left-handed shortstop who is ranked first in the 2022 draft, had a batting average of 311 percent (14 hits from 45 times at bat), two homers, six RBIs, three walks, 15 strikeouts, two steals, and an on-base percentage of .354 with an OPS of .600. Although he did not make the opening roster, he is the No. 1 player in the MLB Pipeline rankings, and his big league debut is imminent this year. Wyatt Langford (Texas Rangers), who became the runner-up by a narrow margin, will make his big league debut before Holiday on the opening roster. 고소득알바
In addition, MLB.com predicted AL Juan Soto (New York Yankees) and NL Mookie Betts (Dodgers) as MVP. The Cy Young Award went to AL Corbin Burns (Baltimore Orioles) and NL Spencer Stride (Atlanta Braves). The Best Coach Award went to AL A.J. Hinch, the Detroit Tigers, and NL Craig Counsell, the Chicago Cubs.