How the Rookie Award Started
Major League Baseball first named a top rookie player in 1947. Jackie Robinson won the inaugural award playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson hit .297 with 12 home runs, 31 doubles, five triples, 48 RBIs and 29 stolen bases.
In 1947 and 1948, the league selected just one player overall. Since 1949, the honor has been handed out to one player in the American League and one player in the National League.
The league officially named it the Jackie Robinson Award in 1987. That year marked the 40th anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier in the league.
Rules for Voting and Eligibility
Members of the Baseball Writers Association of America vote on the award at the end of each regular season. Voting happens before the postseason games begin.
Rookie eligibility rules changed over time. Before 1957, voters used their own judgment to pick rookies. After 1957, players were considered rookies if they had fewer than 75 at bats or 45 innings pitched. The standard was later changed to 90 at bats, 45 innings pitched or 45 days of service time.
Since 1971, a player qualifies as a rookie if he has under 130 at bats, 50 innings pitched or 45 days of non September service time before the season starts. That remains the standard today.
Recent Winners in Both Leagues
In 2026, Kevin McGonigle of the Detroit Tigers won the award for the American League. Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds won it for the National League.
The 2025 winners were Nick Kurtz in the American League and Drake Baldwin in the National League. In 2024, Luis Gil won for the American League while Paul Skenes won for the National League.
In 2023, Gunnar Henderson won in the American League and Corbin Carroll won in the National League. Julio Rodriguez and Michael Harris II won the awards in 2022. Randy Arozarena and Jonathan India were the winners in 2021. Kyle Lewis and Devin Williams won in 2020. Yordan Alvarez and Pete Alonso took the titles in 2019.
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