2021 marks PressBox’s fifth annual Best Of edition celebrating the top people, performances and moments of the year.
Best Rookie
Considering his slow start to the season, Ryan Mountcastle’s end-of-year stats look downright impressive.
The rookie first baseman/designated hitter batted .198/.229/.286 in April before turning things around as the weather warmed up. Overall, Mountcastle finished with a batting line of .255/.309/.487 — a little light on on-base percentage but plenty of pop.
He clubbed 33 home runs, tops among all rookies in 2021. That also set the Orioles’ rookie record, ahead of Cal Ripken, Jr. (28) and Eddie Murray (27).
Mountcastle is far from a finished product, but there’s a lot to like.
Photo Credit: Colin Murphy/PressBox
For more Best Of, visit PressBoxOnline.com/BestOf.
Plus: Check out PressBox’s 2021 Mo Gaba Sportsperson of the Year, Justin Tucker.
