This one is a head-scratcher.
Major League Baseball announced Monday that Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena is the 2021 American League Rookie of the Year.
Arozarena received 22 first-place votes, with the rest going to Houston Astros right-hander Luis Garcia, Rays infielder Wander Franco, Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia and Cleveland Indians right-hander Emmanuel Clase.
Other players receiving votes on the ballot were Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle, Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan and Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah.
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Among those overlooked in voting was Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock. Boston selected the former New York Yankees prospect in last year’s Rule 5 Draft while he was on the rebound from Tommy John surgery.
Despite never having pitched above Double-A, Whitlock impressed as a rookie in Boston’s bullpen, going 8-4 with two saves and a 1.96 ERA in 46 regular-season appearances. His dominance continued in the playoffs, with a 2.16 ERA in five appearances.
With Eduardo Rodriguez signing Monday with the Detroit Tigers (five years, $77 million), expect Whitlock to get a shot at cracking the Red Sox starting rotation in 2022.
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.
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