Who are the 10 Yankees ever to win the MLB Rookie of the Year award?

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Yankees pitcher Luis Gil was named the American League Rookie of the Year on Monday, becoming the 10th player in the franchise’s history to capture the prestigious award. His breakthrough season solidified his position as a promising starting pitcher, joining a distinguished list of Yankees award winners that includes legendary players like Aaron Judge, Derek Jeter, and Thurman Munson.

The award highlights Gil’s notable performance in a season that, while not without challenges, demonstrated his potential as a reliable major league starter. His selection continues the Yankees’ tradition of developing top-tier young talent.

With this honor, the Yankees extend their lead in the American League for most Rookie of the Year recipients, trailing only the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ MLB-leading total of 18 winners. Here are the 10 Yankees who have won this honor.

Gil McDougald (1951)

Gil McDougald‘s impressive rookie season in 1951 set the stage for a standout career with the Yankees, lasting until 1960. In his debut year, McDougald delivered strong offensive numbers, posting a .306 batting average, a .396 on-base percentage, and a .488 slugging mark. His blend of power and speed was on full display, as he hit 14 home runs, drove in 63 RBIs, tallied 23 doubles, and stole 14 bases in 131 games.

McDougald’s rookie season was not only marked by solid stats but also earned him recognition as one of the league’s top players, finishing in the top 10 of MVP voting. His success carried over into the next year, when he earned his first All-Star selection, further solidifying his role as a key member of the Yankees’ infield throughout the 1950s.

Bob Grim (1954)

Bob Grim made history in 1954 as the first Yankees pitcher to win the Rookie of the Year award. His debut season was nothing short of extraordinary, as he became the first and only rookie to win 20 games—a record that still stands unmatched in Major League Baseball.

The New York native’s impressive rookie campaign featured remarkable durability, as Grim completed eight games and posted a 3.26 ERA over 199 innings. These numbers remain among the best rookie performances in baseball history.

Despite the high point of his career in 1954, Grim was unable to replicate that success in later seasons. His time with the Yankees ended in 1958, when he was traded to the Kansas City Athletics, marking a shift in his career after his groundbreaking debut.

Tony Kubek (1957)

Tony Kubek’s Major League Baseball career was marked by his entire tenure with the Yankees, spanning nine seasons that began with a standout rookie performance in 1957. The Milwaukee-born infielder captured the Rookie of the Year award after posting solid offensive numbers, including a .297 batting average, .335 on-base percentage, and .381 slugging percentage in 127 games.

Kubek’s debut season laid the foundation for a successful career, earning him All-Star honors in each of the next four years. His steady contributions were key to the Yankees’ success, playing a vital role in the team’s World Series victories in 1958, 1961, and 1962.

Tom Tresh (1962)

Tom Tresh made a significant impact on the 1962 Yankees, standing out alongside icons like Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, and Whitey Ford. His rookie season earned him widespread acclaim as he posted strong offensive numbers, including 20 home runs, 93 RBIs, and a .800 OPS.

Originally a shortstop, Tresh later moved to the outfield, where his bat remained productive through the postseason. He recorded three multi-hit games in the 1962 World Series against the Giants. Over a nine-year career with the Yankees, Tresh earned three All-Star selections and won a Gold Glove award in 1965.

Stan Bahnsen (1968)

Stan Bahnsen launched his 16-year Major League career with an outstanding rookie season for the Yankees in 1968, marking the beginning of his five-year tenure with the club. In his debut year, Bahnsen posted a strong 17 wins and a stellar 2.05 ERA.

His durability was on full display as he completed 10 games that season, a feat that foreshadowed his ability to sustain a long career. Over time, Bahnsen would go on to record 73 complete games, solidifying his reputation as a reliable starting pitcher in the majors.

Thurman Munson (1970)

Thurman Munson’s lasting impact on Yankees history began with an outstanding rookie season in 1970. The catcher quickly made a mark, posting a .302 batting average, a .386 on-base percentage, and a .415 slugging percentage, along with 59 runs and 53 RBIs. His performance in the Rookie of the Year race was dominant, earning 23 out of 24 first-place votes.

Munson’s influence on the team continued to grow, and he was named Yankees captain, a role he held from 1976 until his untimely death in 1979. Over his career, he earned seven All-Star selections, three Gold Glove awards, and the 1976 MVP. Munson played key roles in the Yankees’ World Series victories in 1977 and 1978.

Though his life and career were tragically cut short in a plane crash on August 2, 1979, Munson’s legacy as a team leader and his contributions to the franchise are remembered and honored.

Dave Righetti (1981)

Dave Righetti‘s selection as the American League Rookie of the Year on Nov. 30, 1981, added another prestigious honor to the Yankees’ storied history. The 22-year-old left-hander dazzled in his debut season, posting an 8-4 record with a stellar 2.05 ERA and delivering two complete games.  

Righetti’s rookie performance stood out for its consistency and dominance. Over 105 1/3 innings, he allowed just one home run while recording 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings, leading all AL rookies in that category. His poise and precision on the mound made him a cornerstone of the Yankees’ rotation during the strike-shortened 1981 season.  

The award marked the seventh time a Yankees player received Rookie of the Year honors, further cementing the franchise’s reputation for producing impactful young talent. Righetti’s recognition highlighted a rich tradition of rookie excellence that has remained a hallmark of the organization.

Derek Jeter (1996)

Derek Jeter‘s legendary Yankees career began with a remarkable rookie season in 1996, where he quickly cemented his role as the team’s starting shortstop and began to showcase the leadership qualities that would define his career. In his debut year, Jeter posted a .314 batting average and an .800 OPS over 157 games.

Jeter’s first season also marked the start of his championship legacy, as he helped lead the Yankees to their 23rd World Series title that October. The success of his rookie campaign set the tone for an illustrious career that would include 14 All-Star selections, five Gold Glove awards, five Silver Slugger honors, and five World Series championships.

More than just a player, Jeter became one of the most iconic figures in Yankees history, his influence extending beyond his statistics and playing a central role in the team’s success for two decades.

Aaron Judge (2017)

Aaron Judge burst onto the scene in 2017 with a rookie season that redefined expectations for first-year players. The Yankees slugger shattered the American League rookie home run record with 52, eclipsing the previous mark of 49 set by Mark McGwire in 1987.

Judge’s historic debut season ranks among the most productive in MLB history, with his 7.9 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) placing fourth all-time for rookies. The towering outfielder’s unparalleled power at the plate and overall contribution solidified his role as a cornerstone of the Yankees and one of baseball’s brightest stars.

Luis Gil (2024)

Gil’s resilient journey to the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year award is a testament to perseverance through significant medical challenges. Gil’s path to success was far from straightforward. After his initial MLB debut in 2021, which included six starts and preserved his rookie eligibility, he faced substantial medical setbacks. A single 2022 appearance was followed by Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the entire 2023 season.

Defying expectations, Gil mounted a remarkable comeback in 2024. He posted an impressive 15-7 record with a 3.50 ERA, striking out 171 batters across 151 2/3 innings. His powerful upper-90s fastball and deceptive changeup became his trademark pitches.

Statistical highlights underscored Gil’s dominance. He led American League pitchers with the lowest opponents’ batting average and ranked second in hits per nine innings. Among rookies, he topped the league in wins and tied for most strikeouts.

A defining moment came on May 18 against the Chicago White Sox, where Gil struck out a career-high 14 batters, surpassing Orlando Hernández’s franchise rookie record. That month, he was named AL Pitcher and Rookie of the Month, going 6-0 with an extraordinary 0.70 ERA. He also pitched the Yankees to their sole victory in the 2024 World Series.

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