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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CLEARWATER, FL – FEBRUARY 26: Juan Samuel #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies poses for a portrait on February 26, 2016 at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
CLEARWATER, FL – FEBRUARY 26: Juan Samuel #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies poses for a portrait on February 26, 2016 at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Juan Samuel (1984, second base, ROY voting: 2nd)

Samuel showed promise during an 18 game stretch for the 1983 NL Champions. He hit .277 with a double, two triples, two home runs and three stolen bases in 65 at-bats. In 1984, Samuel had a career best 72 stolen bases and 19 triples, leading the league.  In addition, Samuel hit .272, scored 105 runs, hit 36 doubles and 15 home runs. Those efforts were good enough for an All-Star appearance and second in Rookie of the Year balloting.

His rookie season started the best four-year stretch of his career. During that time, Samuel had over 30 doubles and ten triples. He set a career-best 113 runs, 28 home home runs and 100 RBI in 1987, earning a second of three All-Star appearances.

Samuel was traded to the Mets in the middle of 1989 for Lenny Dykstra and Roger McDowell. He played the next two and a half seasons for the Dodgers, making an All-Star appearance in 1991, stealing 23 bases. That ended a 10-year streak in which Samuel stole at least 20 bases.

Following his time with the Dodgers, Samuel played Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers and back with the Royals, before finishing his career playing three seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Samuel retired with a .259 average, 161 home runs, 396 stolen bases and 1578 hits.  Following his playing days, Samuel coached for the Tigers (1999-2005), Orioles (2007 – 2010) and Phillies (2011-2017) He was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame in 2008.

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