In a year that has featured so much drama and excitement, as well as some very exciting young players making their MLB debuts, Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners may be one of the major highlights of the 2022 season.
The Mariners rookie is making a very strong case to be named the American League Rookie of the Year at the end of this season.
Rodriguez, 21, is hitting .279 with 26 home runs and 72 RBI this season.
Yesterday, he made history when he stole second base.
That stolen base was his 25th of the season, which makes him the first player in MLB history to hit at least 25 home runs and steal 25 or more bases in his rookie season.
Julio Rodríguez is the first player in MLB history to hit 25 home runs & steal 25 bases in their debut season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2JUvTaL5Hu
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 14, 2022
J-Rod Makes History
J-Rod’s historic rookie season continues.
The energy he brings to this Mariners team is unmatched.
His emergence has helped the Mariners re-establish themselves as a postseason contender and has them in a position where they could finally end the longest active playoff drought in Major League Baseball.
His energy has brought new life to the city of Seattle and to a Mariners team that is on the rise.
Now, he’s the first player in baseball history to have accomplished the feat of a 25-25 season in his rookie year, making him a strong candidate to win the American League Rookie of the Year Award.
He’ll have stiff competition from Adley Rutschman and Steven Kwan, but his chances of winning the award are pretty good right now.
For now, he’ll look to continue his fantastic rookie season and help lead the Mariners to their first postseason appearance since 2001.
There’s still plenty of room for him to add to his already impressive resume.
NEXT: The Mariners Remember A Special Griffey Family Moment