That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Chronological list of top rookie seasons in Phillies history

By Kerry Kauffman

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 16: Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a double against the Miami Marlins during the sixth inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Marlins defeated the Phillies 6-4. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 16: Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a double against the Miami Marlins during the sixth inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Marlins defeated the Phillies 6-4. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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6 Apr 1997: Shortstop Kevin Stocker of the Philadelphia Phillies throws the ball during a game against the San Diego Padres at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Phillies won the game 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport
6 Apr 1997: Shortstop Kevin Stocker of the Philadelphia Phillies throws the ball during a game against the San Diego Padres at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Phillies won the game 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport /

Kevin Stocker (1993, shortstop, ROY voting: 6th)

Stocker was drafted in the second round by the Phillies in 1991 out of the University of Washington.  He went through the minor league system quickly, making his Major League debut on July 7, 1993. In 70 games , Stocker hit .324 with 17 extra-base hits, a .409 on-base percentage, 31 RBI and five stolen bases. Those numbers were good enough for sixth in Rookie of the Year voting.

The following season, Stocker played in 82 games, hitting a respectable .273 in 281 at-bats. Defensively, he was slightly below the league average in fielding percentage his first two seasons. However, Stocker vastly improved defensively, with fielding percentages well above average during his final few seasons in Philadelphia.

While his defense improved, Stocker’s batting average never approached his rookie season’s average.  He hit only .218 in 1995, .254 in 1996 and .266 in 1997.  Despite a mediocre average in his final season in Philadelphia, Stocker set career highs in hits, doubles and stolen bases.

Stocker was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays during the 1997 expansion draft for Bobby Abreu.  Stocker hit .260 with nine home runs and 60 RBI in a little over two seasons with Tampa Bay before finishing his career with .197 in 70 games with the Angels in 2000.

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