Cincinnati Reds second baseman and former Gator Jonathan India was named National League Rookie of the Year Monday after posting the league’s fifth-best on-base percentage among qualified hitters.
India played 150 games in 2021, slashing .269/.376/.459 with a .835 on-base plus slugging and 3.9 wins above replacement.
The former Gators infielder received 29 of 30 first-place votes, with the 30th going to Miami pitcher Trevor Rogers.
Among hitters with at least 400 plate appearances from the leadoff spot, India finished first in OBP, besting the likes of Mookie Betts, Jose Altuve and Cedric Mullins.
India possesses excellent plate discipline for a rookie, but also excels at being hit by pitches. His 23 HBPs led the NL, allowing him to exceed his wOBA, or expected OBP, by 13 points.
The difference between India and an identical player lacking his HBP magic was 5th and 17th in NL OBP.
India was a member of Florida’s 2017 College World Series winning team and won SEC Player of the Year honors as a Junior in 2018.
Contact Ryan Zehnder at rzehnder@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @ryan_zehnder.
