Cincinnati Reds Star Ends Team’s 21st Century Drought With Rookie of the Year Win

Despite failing to make the playoffs this year, the Cincinnati Reds had a few highlights in their season. One of them was 24-year-old Jonathan India, whose exploits in his debut season won him the Jackie Robinson NL Rookie of the Year.

While achieving the feat, India ended the franchise’s wait to have one of their rookies win the coveted award.

Jonathan India ends the 22-year Rookie of the Year drought of the Cincinnati Reds

In 2018, the Reds selected India as the fifth pick of the MLB draft. After three seasons in the minor leagues, the 24-year-old earned a call-up to the major league this year. Carrying high expectations, India didn’t disappoint as the second baseman carved an incredible reputation for himself.

In 150 games, the Florida-born rookie scored 98 runs, which included 21 home runs and recorded 69 RBI. With 12 stolen bases and an OPS of .835, India’s performances played a huge part in the Reds scoring 83 victories last year.

His excellent 2021 season saw him nominated for the NL Rookie of the Year alongside Trevor Rogers of the Miami Marlins and Dylan Carlson of the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite having excellent competition, India won a staggering 29 of 30 first-place votes to win the coveted award.

In doing so, he became the first player since relief pitcher Scott Williamson to win the award in a Reds uniform. Williamson won the honor in 1999, with the 22-year gap between two winners being the fifth longest in MLB history.

The team with the longest drought in this category is the Arizona Diamondbacks. Since entering the league in 1998, they failed to have one of their rookies winning the award till date. Next on the list are the Minnesota Twins, with Marty Cordova’s win in 1995 being their last of this category.

Can India produce an even stronger season next year?

It’s hard to imagine a hitter repeating 98 runs and 69 RBI in his sophomore season at this level of the game. However, the 24-year-old seems highly capable of repeating, if not topping, those statistics next year.

India exuded an exemplary amount of confidence throughout his rookie season, which will come in handy next year. With players like Jesse Winker and T.J. Freidl featuring alongside the 24-year-old, the Reds could shock millions and reach the postseason in 2022.

However, their primary competitors in the NL Central division look likely to be the St. Louis Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers once again. While there’s hope for the Reds, it certainly won’t come easy to them next season.

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