In 1947 and 1948, the Rookie of the Year was given to Major League Baseball's top rookie-eligible player. Since 1949, the award has been presented to a player in the American League and National League. The Baseball Writers' Association of America votes on the award at the end of each season and before the start of the postseason.
Before 1957, voters used their own judgment to determine which players were considered rookies. After 1957, players were considered rookies if they had fewer than 75 at-bats or 45 innings pitched prior to the season. This was later changed to 90 at-bats, 45 innings pitched or 45 days of MLB service time. In 1971, the mark was adjusted to 130 at-bats, 50 innings pitched or 45 days of non-September service time. That remains the standard today.
Jackie Robinson was MLB's first Rookie of the Year in 1947. Robinson hit .297 with 12 home runs, 31 doubles, five triples, 48 RBIs and 29 stolen bases for the Brooklyn Dodgers. The award has been named the Jackie Robinson Award since 1987, the 40th anniversary of Robinson breaking the league's color barrier.
In 2025, Nick Kurtz of the Athletics unanimously won the award for the American League, while Drake Baldwin of the Atlanta Braves won it for the National League. Here's a look at every rookie who has won the Jackie Robinson Award:
2025: Nick Kurtz (AL), Drake Baldwin (NL)
2024: Luis Gil (AL), Paul Skenes (NL)
2023: Gunnar Henderson (AL), Corbin Carroll (NL)
2022: Julio Rodriguez (AL), Michael Harris II (NL)
2021: Randy Arozarena (AL), Jonathan India (NL)
2020: Kyle Lewis (AL), Devin Williams (NL)
2019: Yordan Alvarez (AL), Pete Alonso (NL)
2018: Shohei Ohtani (AL), Ronald Acuna Jr. (NL)
2017: Aaron Judge (AL), Cody Bellinger (NL)
2016: Michael Fulmer
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