Looking back at 4 Phillies Rookie of the Year Award winners
By Matt Rappa
Four Rookie of the Year Award winners in Phillies franchise history
Monday evening, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America awarded Milwaukee Brewers reliever Devin Williams the 2020 National League Rookie of the Year Award, meaning Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm did not become just one of five players to ever earn the award in franchise history.
Bohm finished tied for second place with San Diego Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth.
Given the 2020 season marked the 138th in Phillies franchise history, Bohm has a lot to be proud of despite not winning the prestigious honor. Making his debut just 10 days after his 24th birthday (August 13), Bohm did not have any trouble adjusting to major-league pitching; he finished atop the National League rookie rankings in batting average (.338), on-base percentage (.400), slugging percentage (.481), RBI (23), and hits (54).
Bohm also tied Marcell Ozuna (.338) for the third-best batting average in the National League among players with at least 100 plate appearances, trailing only Juan Soto (.351) and Freddie Freeman (.341).
The Omaha, Nebraska, native also hit .452 with runners in scoring position — the best such batting average in all of Major League Baseball.
Drafted third overall in the 2018 draft, Bohm making early strides in the majors is a positive sign for the Phillies, considering their underwhelming history of first-round picks being able to find success at the big-league level.
While Bohm fell short of being the most recent Phillie to be considered the best National League rookie in a single season, the four players to accomplish the feat each deserved the top honor. Among them include 2006 National League Most Valuable Player and 2008 World Series champion, Ryan Howard.