Jose Abreu and the Top 15 Rookie Seasons in MLB History

By David Miller

Jose Abreu and the Top 15 Rookie Seasons in MLB History

Jose Abreu Chicago White Sox — There were more than a few eyes turned by Jose Abreu's debut month for the Chicago White Sox. Projections have him reaching close to 30 home runs and 100 RBI with an average above .260 by season's end. That would be a great rookie season but not the best ever. Take a look at the top 15 MLB rookie seasons that have come before Abreu's great start. All but one of these gentlemen are represented by a picture from early in their career.

15 – Ryan Braun – 2007 Milwaukee Brewers

Ryan Braun Milwaukee Brewers

15 – Ryan Braun – 2007 Milwaukee Brewers

Ryan Braun Milwaukee Brewers — Braun didn't have the greatest numbers but he did have 34 home runs and 97 RBI. That is respectable and then some but when you consider it happened in only 113 games, it becomes nearly stunning.

14 – Frank Robinson – 1956 Baltimore Orioles

Frank Robinson Baltimore Orioles

14 – Frank Robinson – 1956 Baltimore Orioles

Frank Robinson Baltimore Orioles — We all know by now how great of a player Robinson would go on to become but he wasted no time getting started. His rookie season saw him jack 38 home runs.

13 – Yasiel Puig – 2013 Los Angeles Dodgers

Yasiel Puig Los Angeles Dodgers

13 – Yasiel Puig – 2013 Los Angeles Dodgers

Yasiel Puig Los Angeles Dodgers — The Dodgers have a few guys on this list as you might expect. Puig fell short of the Rookie of the Year only because of the gentleman that ranks 5th on this list. His 19 home runs and 42 RBI fall short as well explaining the incredible impact that he had on his team.

12 – Wally Berger – 1930 Boston Braves

Wally Berger Boston Braves

12 – Wally Berger – 1930 Boston Braves

Wally Berger Boston Braves — Berger had 38 home runs, 119 RBI and a .310 average in his rookie season. That not only made him the best hitter on the Braves at the time but also one of the top five sluggers in the game.

11 – Dwight Gooden – 1984 New York Mets

Dwight Gooden New York Mets

11 – Dwight Gooden – 1984 New York Mets

Dwight Gooden New York Mets — If you were around to witness the craziness that surrounded the great debut of Doc Gooden, you surely remember it well. He had a 2.60 ERA and a 1.073 WHIP in that great season.

10 – Mark Fidrych – 1976 Detroit Tigers

Mark Fidrych Detroit Tigers

10 – Mark Fidrych – 1976 Detroit Tigers

Mark Fidrych Detroit Tigers — Though he was unable to continue having splendid seasons for his entire career, Fidrych certainly splashed loudly in his 1976 debut. He won 19 games with a 2.34 ERA and 1.07 WHIP.

9 – Mark McGwire – 1987 Oakland Athletics

Mark McGwire Oakland Athletics

9 – Mark McGwire – 1987 Oakland Athletics

Mark McGwire Oakland Athletics — Big Mac started his slugging career right off the bat, no pun intended. With a huge power season of 49 home runs and 118 RBI. It is no wonder he is one of the biggest home run sluggers of all time.

8 – Ted Williams – 1939 Boston Red Sox

Ted Williams Boston Red Sox

8 – Ted Williams – 1939 Boston Red Sox

Ted Williams Boston Red Sox — How did the career of Williams begin? How does .327 with 185 hits sound? As we all know he went on to be the greatest hitter of all time and this debut season shows he got off to a great start.

7 – Fernando Valenzuela – 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers

Fernando Valenzuela Los Angeles Dodgers

7 – Fernando Valenzuela – 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers

Fernando Valenzuela Los Angeles Dodgers — The first month of Valenzuela's career started what is famously known as Fernando Mania. He was nearly un-hittable for the entire first month of his career. He would go on to have a great debut season with a 2.48 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 192 innings pitched.

6 – Fred Lynn – 1975 Boston Red Sox

Fred Lynn Boston Red Sox

6 – Fred Lynn – 1975 Boston Red Sox

Fred Lynn Boston Red Sox — A starting season with a .331 batting average, 21 home runs, 105 RBI and 103 runs scored looks pretty good for a rookie season. Knowing that man was Lynn makes perfect sense.

5 – Jose Fernandez – 2013 Miami Marlins

Jose Fernandez Miami Marlins

5 – Jose Fernandez – 2013 Miami Marlins

Jose Fernandez Miami Marlins — Fernandez is so good right now that he honestly doesn't seem like he is only starting his second season. His debut season was amazing enough with a 2.19 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 12 wins on a bad team. How well he does from now on will tell how large his legend grows.

4 – Mike Piazza – 1993 Los Angeles Dodgers

Mike Piazza Los Angeles Dodgers

4 – Mike Piazza – 1993 Los Angeles Dodgers

Mike Piazza Los Angeles Dodgers — Here is the third member of the Dodgers on this list and Piazza surely deserves a spot here just like he deserves one in the Hall of Fame. His debut season of a .318 average, 35 home runs, 174 hits and 112 RBI let us know that he planned on being the best offensive catcher ever.

3 – Albert Pujols – 2001 St. Louis Cardinals

Albert Pujols St. Louis Cardinals

3 – Albert Pujols – 2001 St. Louis Cardinals

Albert Pujols St. Louis Cardinals — Pujols is trying to get back on track now but way back in 2001 he had no problems getting to MLB speed. His rookie season consisted of a .329 batting average, 37 home runs and 130 RBI.

2 – Mike Trout – 2012 Los Angeles Angels

Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels

2 – Mike Trout – 2012 Los Angeles Angels

Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels — Trout not only had a batting average of .326 with 30 home runs and 83 RBI but he also had 49 stolen bases. Add 129 runs scored and countless amazing catches along the way and you have one of the better starts to any MLB career ever.

1 – Ichiro Suzuki – 2001 Seattle Mariners

Ichiro Suzuki Seattle Mariners

1 – Ichiro Suzuki – 2001 Seattle Mariners

Ichiro Suzuki Seattle Mariners — Suzuki was expected to deliver when he arrived with the Mariners in 2001 but no one could have expected 242 hits, a .350 batting average and a season that led to him winning both the Rookie of the Year and the MVP of the American League.

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