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.