Baltimore's Gunnar Henderson and Arizona's Corbin Carroll were the types of exciting players Major League Baseball hoped for when it tweaked its rules to encourage athleticism. The young stars were rewarded Monday by being voted unanimous winners of the sport's Rookie of the Year awards. Henderson won the American League honor and Carroll the National League award after they both used used power, speed and defense to help their teams reach the playoffs just two years after 110-loss seasons.
Atlanta right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. was voted player of the year and the National League's outstanding player by fellow major leaguers in the annual Players Choice Awards of the Major League Baseball Players Association. Los Angeles Angels designated hitter and pitcher Shohei Ohtani was voted the American League's outstanding player, the union said Thursday.
Stolen bases and batting averages are up and game times are down in the first postseason with the pitch clock and larger bases. There have been an average of 1.4 steals per game through the League Championship Series, up from 0.8 through last year’s LCS. The Arizona Diamondbacks, who play the Texas Rangers in the World Series beginning Friday, lead all postseason teams with 1.6 steals per game.